17:40 Chelmsford City

Thursday 5 September 2019

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:40

Bet toteplacepot At totesport.com Novice Auction Stakes (Plus 10)

Off time: 17:42 | Winning time: 1m 11.14s

(8)

Too Hard To Hold²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 70

6/1

Shown some steady improvement in recent weeks and landed a nursery at Musselburgh (5f, good) two starts ago. Ran to a similar level when third over 5f here last time and is likely to give his running once again.

Form: 446313

(4)

Zain Storm²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R Ffrench| T: J Butler| OR: 67

16/1

Not disgraced in two starts here (May/June) but finished last of five on handicap debut at Lingfield (6f, Polytrack) three weeks ago. Does need to improve on all known form and will find life tough back in novice company.

Form: 7346

(3)

William Thomas¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: R Eddery

33/1

Only beaten one rival in his two starts after missing the break on both occasions. Obviously still learning his trade but related to several winners and may be seen to better effect in handicaps further down the line.

Form: 59

(6)

Never In Red³⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: K T O'Neill| T: R Brisland

14/1

Showed some promise at Hamilton (5f, good) when finishing third on debut but didn't build on that when weakening tamely at Beverley (5f, good) 37 days ago. The step up in trip needs to eke more improvement from this colt.

Form: 37

(7)

River Cam²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: J Tate| BF

5/2

Ran well on both starts to finish second Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) and Newcastle (6f, Tapeta), being beaten both a subsequent winner on each occasion. Has the best form in this race and is the one to beat.

Form: 22

(5)

Second Love²²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-10| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 71| BF

2/1

Better than his position suggested when fifth at Beverley (5f, good) last time after giving away ground at the start. Ran well on his first two outings, including here, and likely to be in the shake-up on again.

Form: 325

(1)

Pettinger¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-9| J: J F Egan| T: C Hills

4/1

Easy to forgive heavy-ground debut and showed plenty to finish fourth at Goodwood (6f, good) 12 days ago. Half-sister to five winners, including recent French Listed winner Mutamakina, and doesn't have much to find on that latest effort.

Form: 64

(2)

Goddess Of Fire⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 8-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: E A L Dunlop

25/1

Green on debut when midfield at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) but no improvement after three-month break upped to 7f here last week. Back down in trip and it would be a surprise were she involved at the business end.

Form: 97

Forecasts

Second Love (2/1), River Cam (5/2), Pettinger (4/1), Too Hard To Hold (6/1), Never In Red (14/1), Zain Storm (16/1), Goddess Of Fire (25/1), William Thomas (33/1)

After being beaten by Nirodha and Huraiz, who have both won again since, RIVER CAM has the best form and should take all the beating. Second Love still ran well at Beverley after going right at the stalls and is consistent whilst Pettinger ran a nice race at Goodwood and can make the frame with a repeat of that effort.