20:30 Chelmsford City

Thursday 22 February 2018

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

Happy 90th Birthday Ashley Handicap

Off time: 20:33 | Winning time: 2m 10.60s

(8)

Father Ailbe⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: Liam Keniry| T: J Butler| OR: 67| BF

5/1

Carries a 6lb penalty for winning at Lingfield last time. Down in trip here but that shouldn't be an issue and this jockey partnered him to good effect on that occasion.

Form: 743-31

(1)

Gemologist¹⁰⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 66

14/1

Dropped another 4lb by the handicapper having failed to make any inroads at Nottingham last time. Needs the step up in trip to bring about some improvement.

Form: 93869-

(2)

Amity Island³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 65

8/1

Placed in a few minor races at Southwell recently; needs to prove he can handle the Polytrack now switching to this surface.

Form: 933-2

(6)

Surrey Blaze³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: J Tuite| OR: 64| CD

13/8

Hat-trick seeker who won over C&D last time out following a victory at Lingfield. Up 7lb but very progressive and every chance he can collect for the third time in a row.

Form: 800-11

(7)

Late Change¹⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 62

8/1

Never a factor in three novice/maiden events, but reason to think the step up in trip for this AW/handicap debut may bring about a fair amount of improvement.

Form: 769-

(4)

Hollywood Dream²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D C Costello| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 61

16/1

0/9 so far but effort at Kempton last time was a definite step in the right direction. Claims if building on that effort.

Form: 5060-64

(9)

Dark Freedom¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R Winston| T: C Hills| OR: 61

6/1

Beaten just a neck over C&D last time out. 5lb rise in the weight doesn't make his job here particularly easy but he clearly appreciates the trip.

Form: 860-032

(5)

Dubai Landmark²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: H Palmer| OR: 60

12/1

Down the field in four novice/maiden races for this top trainer. Could well do better on this handicap debut, especially considering the step up in trip.

Form: 08-67

(3)

Rosedale Topping^v¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L Morris| T: E F Vaughan| OR: 57

12/1

Yet to get off the mark but last two efforts, both over this trip, have been encouraging and he's entitled to go well once again now down slightly in the weights.

Form: 5400-55

(10)

Arlecchino's Arc⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Ryan Tate| T: M D I Usher| OR: 51

50/1

Has finished last in three of his four races so far (also well-beaten in the other) and tough to see him landing a blow here.

Form: 0900-

Forecasts

Surrey Blaze (13/8), Father Ailbe (5/1), Dark Freedom (6/1), Amity Island (8/1), Late Change (8/1), Dubai Landmark (12/1), Rosedale Topping (12/1), Gemologist (14/1), Hollywood Dream (16/1), Arlecchino's Arc (50/1)

This can go to the hat-trick seeker, SURREY BLAZE. This progressive type won over C&D last time out and has more to offer over this trip. Despite being up in the weights the jockey booking is a positive and he could be better than even his revised mark in time. He is taken to get the better of Hollywood Dream, especially if Freebe Rocks can boost the form of her recent Kempton fourth earlier in the card, and Dark Freedom.