19:55 Chelmsford City

Thursday 3 January 2019

All16:1016:4517:2017:5518:2518:5519:2519:55

2019 Membership Available Handicap

Off time: 19:58 | Winning time: 2m 8.34s

(8)

Baasha^b²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 61

7/1

Maiden but ran one of his best races in lone previous visit when third over C&D. Ninth in two starts since but not beaten that far in either and 3lb lower now than last time here so not ruling him out altogether.

Form: 054399-

(4)

New Street^b⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: J & S Best| OR: 60| CD

20/1

C&D winner in August also ran well here next when second. Two lesser efforts since at Kempton but possible a return here can help spark a revival and not out of this by any means.

Form: 841270-

(12)

Golconda Prince⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: M Pattinson| OR: 60| D

33/1

Won just once in 24 races for Richard Fahey and that on soft ground on turf. Competitive off similar and slightly higher marks several times since so could go well if ready on stable bow after a break.

Form: 533635-

(5)

Compulsive^v1⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 60

20/1

Unplaced seven race maiden beaten 34L, 13L and 15½L since moving to this yard. Giant leap of faith needed now even in first-time headgear.

Form: 77/8890-

(2)

Stosur^b⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Toby Eley⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 58| C

25/1

Six-time winner but never beyond 1m and won over 7f here. Didn't look to get home at Wolverhampton latest over 1m1½f when ninth of 10 so trip again a big worry.

Form: 298369-

(7)

Hard Toffee²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: L Allan| OR: 58| CD

9/4

Won two of last three, both over C&D. Only up 2lb for most recent well timed win under this jockey so chances look very obvious once again in a similarly ordinary contest.

Form: 363161-

(6)

Mans Not Trot^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne| OR: 57| C

6/1

1m course winner three starts back and kept on well for second over same trip at Southwell latest. Seemed to stay this trip earlier last year so no major concerns going back up and looks a better horse now than then so interesting contender.

Form: 832142-

(3)

Sharp Operator^h²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: C Wallis| OR: 55| CD

9/2

C&D winner last February was fourth here in final start of 2018. Gets another 1lb back which helps but not obviously well handicapped so place claims much more appealing than win.

Form: 124474-

(11)

Herm²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J F Egan| T: P D Evans| OR: 55

10/1

Both career wins at Wolverhampton over 7f. Certainly seemed to stay 1m½f there but hard to gauge latest over 1m1½f when not getting a clear run in the straight. On a workable mark if he does last it out.

Form: 455624-

(10)

Mullarkey⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Kieren Fox| T: J R Best| OR: 53| CD

6/1

Only placed once in 12 2018 starts although it came over C&D. Not beaten far since at Lingfield and handicapper keeps giving him slight assistance so has place potential here.

Form: 906536-

(13)

Red Cossack^h²²

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Jack Duern⁽³⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 51

10/1

Not won since 2015 and missed most of 2018 managing just two midfield runs late in the season. Well handicapped on old form but how much ability now remains is up for debate and draw does little to enthuse.

Form: 9070/85-

(9)

Steel Helmet²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Bethell| OR: 45| CD

20/1

C&D winner in April but that his lone win in 26 races and was well behind Hard Toffee here last time out finishing fifth. 3lb not enough to suggest reversal so only makes minor appeal overall.

Form: 070675-

Non-Runners

(1)

Kilbaha Lady¹⁵

Weight: 9-8| Age: 5

T: N Tinkler J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Hard Toffee (9/4), Sharp Operator (9/2), Mullarkey (6/1), Mans Not Trot (6/1), Baasha (7/1), Red Cossack (10/1), Herm (10/1), Kilbaha Lady (14/1), Steel Helmet (20/1), New Street (20/1), Compulsive (20/1), Stosur (25/1), Golconda Prince (33/1)

HARD TOFFEE has been in good form over C&D winning twice and with just 2lb added for the most recent of them his prospects of winning again look strong. Others of interest in this contest are New Street whose form here this year has been better than anywhere else and Mans Not Trot who seems to have got the hang of things of late.