19:20 Chelmsford City

Saturday 28 September 2019

All17:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Bet In Play At totesport.com Handicap

Off time: 19:22 | Winning time: 2m 55.92s

(10)

Big Challenge²⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Cieren Fallon⁽³⁾| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 92

9/2

Won on debut in 2016 but raced only twice in the UK since; both were reasonable efforts but left a bit to be desired. Three runs at the 2019 Dubai Carnival also produced very little and he needs to justify the faith shown to keep him in training.

Form: 12/3-880

(5)

Kitaabaat^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 88

3/1

Has been consistent and back on the score sheet with a strong display in a match-race at Doncaster earlier in the month; that was a decent effort against a higher-rated rival. Good chance if he can reproduce now upped in trip in a larger field.

Form: 252-731

(7)

Lady Bergamot¹⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: George Wood| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 88| CD

5/1

Good effort over C&D when last seen (in June) and been given a chance by the handicapper as she runs from the same mark. A strong pace will suit and, with the likes of Ulster capable of forcing the issue for her, the race might be run to suit.

Form: 510-832

(3)

Machine Learner¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Charles Bishop| T: J Tuite| OR: 87| D

14/1

Not disgraced when finishing mid division in a hot handicap in Ireland earlier in the month and notable that he's held his form well since returning from a break; 0-5 on the AW, though, and is so far untested on this track. A betting watch advised.

Form: 4-47236

(4)

Ulster⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Kate Leahy⁽⁷⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 87

8/1

Former Godolphin inmate who is a game front-runner; but he often pays the price for early exuberance. Disappointed when tried in blinkers last time out and will take a much more determined effort to bounce back in this company.

Form: 222P76

(8)

The Pinto Kid^t³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 86

5/1

Never won beyond 1m4f and something to prove on his first run at at this course (all previous wins gained over middle distances at Kempton). Stablemate of Lady Bergamot so worth a betting check in comparison at least.

Form: 1-37126

(1)

Berrahri¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Kieren Fox| T: J R Best| OR: 85| C| D

10/1

Holding his form well and emerged as a worthy winner of the Jump Jockey's Derby at Epsom earlier this month. He's another 3lb higher and now on a mark equal to his highest previous rating, so needs to be on his 'A-game' to figure.

Form: 311621

(6)

Manjaam^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: Ian Williams| OR: 81| C

8/1

Dropped to an attractive mark after a lacklustre run of form this season; he's dropped 10lb in the handicap since March but has done little of late to suggest he's capable of exploiting the handicapper's generosity.

Form: 606864

(2)

Sporting Times³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: R Havlin| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 81

14/1

Had wind surgery in October 2017 and lightly raced since. Returned from a 410-day absence with a modest effort at Kempton last month (finished just in front of The Pinto Kid) so will strip fitter; but stamina is another issue over this new trip.

Form: 25/723-5

(9)

Hope Is High¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Nicola Currie| T: John Berry| OR: 71| D

33/1

Won at Bath over an extended 1m3f at the start of this month but faded when upped to this distance last time out. Has won and been placed over 1m6f before but this looks a stern challenge on these terms.

Form: 24-5317

Forecasts

Kitaabaat (3/1), Big Challenge (9/2), The Pinto Kid (5/1), Lady Bergamot (5/1), Ulster (8/1), Manjaam (8/1), Berrahri (10/1), Machine Learner (14/1), Sporting Times (14/1), Hope Is High (33/1)

Kitaabaat is highly respected after a good win in a match race at Doncaster last time and will be a potent threat to all if the longer trip isn't an issue. However, preference goes to LADY BERGAMOT as she is likely to have the strong tempo she needs and can make the most of what looks to be an attractive current handicap mark. Machine Learner has scope to improve and is one to keep tabs on in the betting, while Berrahri is another in-form rival who also warrants consideration. Similar applies to the well-bred Big Challenge, whose form is ordinary but he's still done enough to merit carrying topweight in this company; so is respected accordingly.