17:20 Chelmsford City

Thursday 12 December 2019

All15:5016:2016:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:20

Irish Lotto At totesport.com Handicap

Off time: 17:22 | Winning time: 1m 38.81s

(1)

Librisa Breeze²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Joey Haynes| T: D K Ivory| OR: 110| D

6/1

Won the Group 1 Champions Sprint in 2017 but has only shown his form once since, when second on seasonal debut in a Group 2 (7f) at Newbury. Well beaten in a Listed race at Kempton (1m) last time but this is easier and AW form figures read 21117.

Form: 808-207

(7)

Wait Forever²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽⁷⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 102| D

10/1

Four-time Group 3/Listed winner in Italy, including back in March. His British debut saw him finish fourth last time at Lingfield (1m) beaten 4¾L by handicap blot Alrajaa after not getting a clear run. Should be able to make his presence felt.

Form: 44-1364

(4)

Fox Power²³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 100| D

11/4

Showed fair form as a juvenile but took a big step forward when winning a Listed race at Newcastle (1m) on Good Friday, his only run this year. Returns now after another absence but evidently goes well fresh and may still have more to come.

Form: 35132-1

(5)

Silent Attack¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson| T: A W Carroll| OR: 98| CD

5/1

Dual course winner (7f/1m) who bounced back to form here (7f) last time after a spell in the doldrums. That was undoubtedly a step-forward but he remains 2lb above his highest winning mark and this race has more depth.

Form: 077602

(6)

Firmament^p⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 97| CD

7/1

Has a decent record at this venue and returned to form at York (1m) when last seen two months ago. Should give it his best shot but has never won off a mark this high and maybe vulnerable to less exposed rivals.

Form: 645462

(8)

The Gill Brothers^t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: J F Egan| T: S C Williams| OR: 88| C| D

9/2

Won his first two starts this year in novice races (7f/1m) before finishing third on his handicap debut, beaten 1L, over C&D two weeks ago. This is a stronger contest but is upwardly mobile and it's hard to believe we haven't seen the best from him.

Form: 0-113

(2)

Samphire Coast^h,v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: D Shaw| OR: 81| CD

14/1

Six-time course winner who came with a wet sail to win over C&D two weeks ago. Handicapper has put him up 8lb which seems harsh (first four only covered by a length) and he'll now need a career best to follow-up.

Form: 460261

(3)

Assimilation⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: K T O'Neill| T: E Walker| OR: 85

10/1

Both his wins have been at Wolverhampton over 7f, including last time when he won impressively. Isn't the most reliable but has been placed over this trip in the past and is evidently still improving.

Form: 481761

Forecasts

Fox Power (11/4), The Gill Brothers (9/2), Silent Attack (5/1), Librisa Breeze (6/1), Firmament (7/1), Assimilation (10/1), Wait Forever (10/1), Samphire Coast (14/1)

After his win in the Listed Burradon Stakes, FOX POWER has strong form in the context of this race. He's gone well fresh before and may be leniently handicapped considering how his Newcastle form has been boosted. It's hard to completely rule out Librisa Breeze, given his good AW record and this being an easier assignment that he normally has whilst the improving The Gill Brothers is on an upward curve and is less exposed than most. An interesting race.