21:00 Chelmsford City

Thursday 15 February 2018

All17:5518:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

totepool Bets At totesport.com Handicap

Off time: 21:01 | Winning time: 2m 50.48s

(9)

Quebec^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: R Ingram| OR: 56

25/1

Winning hurdler who is lightly-raced on the Flat, but won on the AW in France. Four runs for current trainer have offered little and a step forward is needed off this lower mark.

Form: 21/8-687

(1)

Idyllic²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: B Barr| OR: 56

16/1

Three runs have been spread over 19 months. Steps up in trip for her first handicap and the market will be the best guide to her chances.

Form: 73/9

(8)

Miss Dusky Diva¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: William Carson| T: David Drinkwater| OR: 55

8/1

Has been running well over longer trips so shorter distance and first attempt on this surface pose questions. Seems in good heart, though, so every reason to expect another prominent show.

Form: 08U-223

(2)

Navajo Star^v⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: M Harley| T: R Brisland| OR: 55| BF| C

4/1

Course winner over 2m who made a pleasing debut for this stable when second of 14 at Newcastle. Shorter distance of this race may not be ideal, but he has to go on the short list after his latest display.

Form: 11440-2

(5)

Volturnus^p⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: J A Osborne| OR: 48| C

11/8

Favourite when returning to the winner's enclosure over 1m6f at this venue on his latest outing. Bolted up by 12L in first-time cheekpieces on that occasion and should be hard to beat despite a 10lb rise if the headgear works again.

Form: 1340-41

(3)

Gee Sixty Six^b1³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Joey Haynes| T: M H Tompkins| OR: 53

10/1

Maiden after 11 starts, but ran respectably at Kempton last time and can race off 2lb lower. Interesting to see how he reacts to first-time blinkers.

Form: 3670-04

(7)

Canford Thompson¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 50

20/1

Has had several trainers during his short career, but two starts for his current handler have seen him run a fair race over 1m4f before struggling over 1m, both at Southwell. This distance should suit, but he has questions to answer.

Form: 23/90-48

(4)

Koubba^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: S Donohoe| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 46

7/1

Good efforts on her last two starts at this venue and Kempton. Remains on a fair handicap mark and has each-way prospects.

Form: 07004-3

(6)

Bird For Life^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 47

10/1

Won at Kempton in November and again ran well at that venue in first-time cheekpieces last time. The headgear is retained and she has to be considered off the same mark under her promising claimer.

Form: 95410-3

Forecasts

Volturnus (11/8), Navajo Star (4/1), Koubba (7/1), Miss Dusky Diva (8/1), Gee Sixty Six (10/1), Bird For Life (10/1), Idyllic (16/1), Canford Thompson (20/1), Quebec (25/1)

Miss Dusky Diva and Navajo Star are dropping in trip, but both are in good heart and can make their presence felt, along with Gee Sixty Six, who is blinkered for the first time. Bird For Life enters calculations under her light weight, but such was the authority with which VOLTURNUS won last time that he has to be the selection to defy a 10lb rise. Idyllic is worth a check in the betting.