19:30 Chelmsford City

Friday 15 March 2019

All16:4017:2018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Ballymore Handicap

Off time: 19:32 | Winning time: 1m 38.48s

(11)

Pride's Gold⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 87| BF

9/2

Been knocking on the door of late and only narrowly denied at Wolverhampton (1m½f) last time. Dropped 1lb, down and class and has Adam Kirby on board. Strong claims of going very well.

Form: 13532-2

(6)

Florencio^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 86| C

16/1

Ran well again when second at Lingfield (7f) last time off this mark. That tends to be his best trip these days and the extra furlong might just stretch him here. Will need to be at his best.

Form: V3-1052

(4)

Sir Hamilton⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: David Probert| T: L McJannet| OR: 86| CD

12/1

Previous C&D winner who was badly out of sorts when last seen back in December. Has finished last on three of the last four runs and hard to know what to expect back from a break. Only second start for this yard.

Form: 427388-

(10)

Able Jack⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: S C Williams| OR: 84| CD

7/1

Previous C&D winner off this mark at this time last year. Has largely struggled off higher marks since and needs to bounce back to his best here to regain the spark. Wide draw not helpful.

Form: 1190-67

(8)

Key Player¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 84| D

8/1

Has been lightly raced of late so clearly had some issues. Bounced back to form when a good second at Wolverhampton (1m1½f) two weeks ago. Needs to build on that now.

Form: 6/120-82

(7)

Samphire Coast^h,v¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 81| CD

7/1

Loves it around here and has been in good form. Won well at Kempton off 4lb lower two starts back but couldn't back that up last time. Always a threat over this C&D and place claims at least once again.

Form: 47-6515

(5)

Philamundo^b²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: T P Queally| T: R Spencer| OR: 81| CD

8/1

Won over C&D back in January off a 5lb lower mark. Disappointing at Newcastle last time but that venue is completely different. Could be a player back here but regular rider Adam Kirby prefers Pride's Gold.

Form: 6-19136

(1)

Intense Style¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J L Eyre| OR: 79| D

25/1

Chester winner in September, and looked as good as ever when neck second of 5 to Helovaplan at Newcastle after a break recently. Beaten a long way at Kempton last time and needs to bounce back here.

Form: 4219-20

(3)

Pheidippides^b¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: Tom Clover| OR: 78| D

5/2

Rewarded for a string of good efforts when winning at Lingfield off 4lb lower over this trip two weeks ago. Will be a player again if remaining on this upward curve.

Form: 300-321

(9)

Glory Awaits^b⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 76| CD

22/1

Previous C&D winner that has been failing to hit the target of late. Pulled his chance away over 7f here last time and needs to settle better. On a good mark now.

Form: 564-836

(2)

Brittanic^p¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: S Donohoe| T: D M Simcock| OR: 75| D

14/1

Very well treated on his old form but is becoming frustrating now. Slow starts have been an issue and he needs everything to drop right. When it does all click, he will laugh at this mark.

Form: 020-458

Forecasts

Pheidippides (5/2), Pride's Gold (9/2), Samphire Coast (7/1), Able Jack (7/1), Philamundo (8/1), Key Player (8/1), Sir Hamilton (12/1), Brittanic (14/1), Florencio (16/1), Glory Awaits (22/1), Intense Style (25/1)

As always off a declining mark Brittanic will be dangerous if things go right. It is hard to get away from the claims of PRIDE'S GOLD who looks to have a found a good opportunity down in grade here with Adam Kirby on board. Pheidippides is most likely to chase the selection home.