19:30 Chelmsford City

Friday 13 December 2019

All16:0016:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:30

Merry Christmas To All Our Customers Handicap

Off time: 19:32 | Winning time: 58.74s

(6)

Verne Castle^h²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: F Norton| T: M Wigham| OR: 87| CD

7/1

Prolific over C&D, winning five times here during his career. 50/1 and ran accordingly over 6f here last time on first run after a long absence. Usually improves for that so not to be dismissed.

Form: 573999

(9)

Just That Lord⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: M J Attwater| OR: 85| D

8/1

Six-time 5f winner in the past. Third at Lingfield two starts ago and weakened to finish fourth at that track (5f) earlier this month. Eased in grade and likely to force the pace in this contest.

Form: 052634

(5)

Acclaim The Nation^p⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Hart| T: E J Alston| OR: 84| BF| D

3/1

In moderately good form recently - placing twice - but had no extra when doing much too soon at Wolverhampton (5f) last time. Will need to behave in this but not entirely without hope.

Form: 203434

(2)

Savalas²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 84| D

3/1

On a losing run since May 2018 and proving to be inconsistent. Put in one of his better performances when fifth at Newcastle last time on first start for yard. Can go well without posing serious threat.

Form: 205055

(1)

Helvetian²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: K Frost| OR: 84| D

4/1

Last win came at Wolverhampton on penultimate start and got no rub of the green when fifth of 10 at Kempton (6f) last month. Fared better than the result suggested that day so holds place claims.

Form: 568415

(8)

Machree³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: D Carroll| OR: 78| CD

14/1

C&D winner in the past but not in the greatest of form as of late. Down the field in last two starts including when sixth of eight in 5f Southwell handicap last time and best watched on that evidence.

Form: 057806

(7)

Enthaar^p,t⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Watson| T: S C Williams| OR: 76| D

7/1

Slightly inconsistent but seems to be able to win a few, including at Sandown on penultimate start. Made good late headway when fourth at Kempton (5f) in October and could be staying on when others falter.

Form: 616414

(4)

Grisons⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 73

11/1

2-6 this year, including two wins on the bounce during the summer. Ran a mighty race to finish second in C&D handicap in September. Not seen since and makes start for new yard but has to be respected.

Form: 273112

(3)

Dynamo Walt¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: D Shaw| OR: 70| CD

25/1

C&D winner in the past seven times but on a bit of a rotten run. Didn't show much signs of that changing when sixth of 11 at Wolverhampton (5f) last time and needs to find something on current form.

Form: 800876

Forecasts

Acclaim The Nation (3/1), Savalas (3/1), Helvetian (4/1), Enthaar (7/1), Verne Castle (7/1), Just That Lord (8/1), Grisons (11/1), Machree (14/1), Dynamo Walt (25/1)

A race which won't be short of tempo, preference is for GRISONS, who had been in flying form for Clive Cox before switching to Robert Cowell. That should pose no problem however as he excels with sprinters and looks well placed as long as he is up to scratch. Front-runner Just That Lord didn't run too badly in a higher grade last time and could be dangerous if given a soft lead, while the likes of Enthaar and Helvetian will be making late headway but need to find a bit on ratings to win.