19:30 Chelmsford City

Thursday 20 December 2018

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

totesport.com Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 19:33 | Winning time: 1m 39.61s

(4)

Ruby Gates^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Tim Clark⁽³⁾| T: P W D'Arcy| OR: 73

5/1

Has shown a real liking for Wolverhampton since being shipped over from Ireland where she won on Polytrack at Dundalk. Went well in much higher grade last time and debuts here for a new yard.

Form: 019512

(1)

Yusra¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: M Botti| OR: 71

2/1

No match for a well-handicapped rival here last time however she maintained her upward trajectory. Has every chance granted further progress and an appealing draw.

Form: 0532

(8)

Elenora Delight^t²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁵⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 70

6/1

Has improved with each run whilst lacking pace at the business end of her last two races. Her dam was a winner in Ireland over 1m4f and likely she wants a bit further than this.

Form: 723

(2)

Lady Alavesa^p²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 68| BF

4/1

Has two wins and two frame finishes under today's pilot so respected in this company off this mark and from a handy draw.

Form: 061122

(7)

Make Magic¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: George Bass⁽⁷⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 67| C

25/1

Landed a maiden here over 7f in February but has seen limited action since and finished last of six on her comeback two weeks ago.

Form: 54146

(5)

Sweet Nature²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Gianluca Sanna⁽⁷⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 67| BF| D

8/1

Landed a poor novice event at Newcastle before refusing to settle over a longer trip here last time. Handicap mark looks about right and the drop back to a mile will be appreciated. Just the second UK ride for her claimer.

Form: 0518

(10)

Andalusite^v⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: F Sweeney| T: J Gallagher| OR: 65| CD

50/1

Front-runner has a wide draw and a poor run of form to overcome, Probably needs further assistance from the handicapper.

Form: 150407

(3)

Hic Bibi⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Nicola Currie| T: D Loughnane| OR: 61| C

6/1

Had the run of the race when springing a 50/1 shock over 7f here in September. Did too much from the front next time before stepping up to this trip at Lingfield last week when a creditable second, but she's in a stronger contest here.

Form: 540182

(11)

Helfire^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Charlie Bennett| T: M R Bosley| OR: 60| D

28/1

Four-time winner who has gone 18 months since her last success. Generally poor in 2018 and a change of yards has failed to make an impact.

Form: 507879

(6)

Spanish Mane¹¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Shelley Birkett| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 58| D

40/1

Dual-winner for Richard Fahey has joined her new yard for 5,000 gns. Unplaced in three previous AW starts and requires a career best to land this.

Form: 651351

Non-Runners

(9)

Zafaranah²⁶

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: Mrs P Sly J: A Kirby

Forecasts

Yusra (2/1), Lady Alavesa (4/1), Ruby Gates (5/1), Zafaranah (11/2), Hic Bibi (6/1), Elenora Delight (6/1), Sweet Nature (8/1), Make Magic (25/1), Helfire (28/1), Spanish Mane (40/1), Andalusite (50/1)

Yusra is progressing nicely and Lady Alavesa is holding her form well. However, topweight ZAFARANAH scored by the most comfortable short-head imaginable at Wolverhampton when a change of tactics produced significant improvement. She was travelling better than anything with just one behind her turning in before producing a telling turn of foot. A 4lb rise may not be enough to stop her with the likely strong gallop sure to suit.