17:30 Chelmsford City

Thursday 9 January 2020

All16:0016:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:00

Irish Lotto At totesport.com Handicap

Off time: 17:31 | Winning time: 59.84s

(6)

Augustus Caesar²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Shane Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 77| BF| D

9/1

Got off the mark in a gritty manner at Lingfield last September but was below expectations last time out; however, he isn't fully exposed so it's possible he can bounce back. Best when able to dominate but unlikely to have it all his own way.

Form: 53217-

(1)

Zulu Zander²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: A Kirby| T: P D Evans| OR: 76| D

4/1

A late starter who got off the mark with a couple of 5f wins on turf in April; initially rated 83 on the back of those efforts but things haven't panned out since. Now 7lb lower but needs to better a modest display at Wolverhampton last month.

Form: 460274-

(3)

Agent Shiftwell⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: S C Williams| OR: 75| D

8/13

Built on two promising runs with a forceful effort to win at Wolverhampton (5f, standard, in November) when last seen. Bearing in mind that his dam also won a Listed race over this trip, the colt still has lots of scope; very interesting contender.

Form: 231-

(5)

Requiems Dream³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 75| D

16/1

At her best when racing with the pace; and benefited from those forcing tactics to win a brace of sprints in the summer. Might have needed the run when fifth at Wolverhampton last month but still dangerous to underestimate from 2lb lower this time.

Form: 52115-

(7)

Silver Start²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: C Hills| OR: 72| D

33/1

A winner on racecourse bow at Bath last May but it's been almost all one way since then; plenty to prove after finishing last of nine at Wolverhampton the week before Christmas.

Form: 030849-

(2)

Limaro Prospect²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 58

7/1

A nicely-bred colt who is out of a half-sister to a couple of Listed race winners over 1m/1m2f; dangerous to rule out on handicap debut and yard always respected with runners of his type. Possible a longer trip suit in the near future.

Form: 707-

(4)

Comeatchoo³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: George Rooke⁽⁷⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 51

50/1

Set to race from 5lb out of the handicap and has a bit to find with the best of the bunch; 0-5 on the AW and faces a stiff test on his Chelmsford debut.

Form: 762480-

Forecasts

Agent Shiftwell (8/13), Zulu Zander (4/1), Limaro Prospect (7/1), Augustus Caesar (9/1), Requiems Dream (16/1), Silver Start (33/1), Comeatchoo (50/1)

The likely strong pace will suit the progressive AGENT SHIFTWELL and he just edges the nomination as the best one to follow at this stage. The Equiano colt has shown a willing attitude in each of this three previous starts - most notably in manner in which stuck his neck out to fend off all comers at Wolverhampton last month - and has created the impression there's a lot more to come. He starts his handicap career on a workable mark (75) and could be too strong for Augustus Caesar and Requiems Dream at this point in their respective development.