19:45 Chelmsford City

Saturday 1 September 2018

All17:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Betfred Chelmsford City Cup Handicap

Off time: 19:49 | Winning time: 1m 23.28s

(7)

Lucymai²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 105| CD

10/1

Gained a fifth win over this C&D with a dominant front-running performance in a good fillies' handicap. Got an easy lead there and unlikely to get the same rope again, however her record here is enviable and likely to go well again.

Form: 352171

(6)

Salateen^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: M Harley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 104| D

20/1

Front-runner who finished fourth to Rufus King over a mile here but won't mind the drop in trip which all nine career wins have come over. Can be competitive but on a stiff mark at present.

Form: 605124

(9)

Mankib²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 103| D

9/1

Former French performer was set a stiff task in the Criterion Stakes on stable debut but then has won two handicaps in a row. Style of the wins by a neck each time means he is only up 1lb and should get a strong pace to aim at. Looks a leading hope.

Form: 186-711

(11)

Cenotaph³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: J Noseda| OR: 103| C| D

3/1

Only managed one win for Aidan O'Brien but has now won both starts for new stable over 6f at this track. That makes it three from four on the AW and remains a smart prospect on the up. His maiden win came over this distance and should be involved.

Form: 0403-11

(12)

Mazzini^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 102| C

25/1

Won with loads in hand over a furlong shorter and has now moved 7lb higher which leaves him on a stiff mark. Loves this track but all four career wins have come over 6f and will face stiff competition for the lead.

Form: 023631

(13)

Mubtasim^h⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 101| D

10/1

Yet to add to his three early victories in 2016 but has run well on occasions since in good company including a third in the 2017 Jersey Stakes. Has dropped to a favourable mark but needs to lift on current form.

Form: 0-32000

(8)

Masham Star⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| CD

18/1

Winner of this race last year off the same mark and draw but this looks a stronger renewal. Gained a second win of the year under this apprentice and not disgraced back up in class at Goodwood. Tactically versatile and a likely fast pace will suit.

Form: 4U4019

(16)

Gilgamesh⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: R Havlin| T: George Scott| OR: 99| BF| D

16/1

Progressive sort who wasn't disgraced in the Wokingham following a York success. However below that level in the Bunbury Cup and more required off his current mark.

Form: 4-07170

(2)

Carolinae²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 98| CD

25/1

Produced a career best win in a Listed contest over this C&D before struggling in Group class and back here in a handicap. Will get a stronger pace to aim at this time but plenty to find with Lucymai from that run and is on a tough mark at present.

Form: 293105

(4)

Rufus King¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 102| C| D

7/1

Ran well to overcome a bit of trouble and post a career best win over a mile at this track. Equally adept at this trip and previous run on the AW produced a Listed second. Up 4lb but open to more progress in this sphere and looks a contender.

Form: 535001

(5)

Vale Of Kent⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 101| BF| CD

4/1

Has enjoyed a fruitful first campaign and is now six from 15. Has progressed again on his last four starts and was a good fourth at Goodwood in a valuable handicap following a win over the same C&D. Doesn't have to lead and should be involved again.

Form: 161214

(10)

Reckless Endeavour⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 97| D

20/1

Ran well enough on first start since leaving Jamie Osborne and is a better horse switching to an AW surface. On a competitive mark but others look more progressive and it's another tough ask.

Form: 200738

(1)

Charles Molson¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: P R Chamings| OR: 96| CD

12/1

C&D winner and has a good record on an artificial surface, however looks on a high AW handicap mark to be taking on this company.

Form: 025480

(14)

Brian The Snail¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Connor Beasley| T: R A Fahey| OR: 96

33/1

Won his first three and aside from his Doncaster win in June has failed to live up to the early expectations. Best watched again in a race of this strength.

Form: 0-01000

(3)

Cliffs Of Capri^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 93| D

10/1

Has progressed again the last twice when gaining a first turf win followed by a second over the C&D. Got too far back in a race dominated from the front and this could prove more suitable, however it is also a steep step up in class.

Form: 107912

Non-Runners

(15)

Ostilio²⁹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: S & E Crisford J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cenotaph (3/1), Vale Of Kent (4/1), Rufus King (7/1), Ostilio (7/1), Mankib (9/1), Mubtasim (10/1), Cliffs Of Capri (10/1), Lucymai (10/1), Charles Molson (12/1), Gilgamesh (16/1), Masham Star (18/1), Salateen (20/1), Reckless Endeavour (20/1), Mazzini (25/1), Carolinae (25/1), Brian The Snail (33/1)

A highly competitive second running of this valuable race where Masham Star will look to follow up on last year's win, however his progressive stablemates Vale Of Kent and Rufus King may be more likely winners this time around. Lucymai loves this track but faces severe competition for the lead and that may set it up for a closer such as MANKIB whose narrow margin wins could leave him ahead of the handicapper with plenty more potential still in the locker. Cenotaph has proved a wonderful acquisition in winning both starts for new connections and rates a clear danger on a surface he seems to revel on.