18:30 Chelmsford City

Thursday 9 January 2020

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

Double Delight Hat-Trick Heaven At totesport.com Handicap

Off time: 18:32 | Winning time: 1m 25.9s

(7)

Amor Kethley^t,v⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 61| C

16/1

Won over 6f here in September but held off the revised marks three times since. Now just 1lb above her winning rating but is yet to convince 7f is her ideal trip; notable the visor is retained after slight improvement last time out.

Form: 031565-

(4)

Viola Park^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: David Probert| T: R Harris| OR: 61| CD

7/1

Counts a C&D win among his nine previous career successes and maintained a consistent level during the winter months on the AW; needs to post a personal best but feasible he can do so in this company. Expect a late surge if he runs his usual race.

Form: 112952-

(2)

Sepahi^b²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: H Spiller| OR: 61| C| D

10/1

Won on her penultimate start but held off this mark last time out (in spite of being partnered with a 7lb claimer). However, today's rider knows her well and was in the plate when the filly was successful over 5f here in March; one to bear in mind.

Form: 250015-

(11)

Phoenix Star^h,t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: S C Williams| OR: 60| BF

7/2

Done well since joining his current yard and possible the fitting of a tongue tie has been the making of him; responded really well in the hood in his last two starts and looks worth a try over this new trip. (Still well handicapped, too.)

Form: 734413-

(9)

Ubla^e/s²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 60| D

11/1

Won over this trip at Kempton in September and remained in good heart in four outings since. Had Viola Park in behind when he finished second at Kempton last month and has a good chance of upholding the form on 1lb better terms.

Form: 914532-

(6)

Brigand⁷^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: J Butler| OR: 55| CD

9/2

C&D winner last week and has to be respected given his proven liking for this track (both his previous career win came at Chelmsford too). He's still on a handy mark despite the 5lb penalty but he's never won back-to-back races before now.

Form: 25028-1

(5)

Classic Star⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Sophie Ralston⁽⁵⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 59

7/1

Has form that ties in with a few of these but has found winning to be an elusive quest so far and his inability to exploit a lenient mark has been frustrating. Been off since October and might just be sharper for a run.

Form: 522645-

(1)

Amor Fati¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Laura Pearson⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 58| CD

12/1

Lost his way a touch at present; as underlined by two below par efforts on Tapeta at Wolverhampton last month. He's effective at this course and won this last year but his moderate recent form gives more than enough cause for concern.

Form: 008900-

(3)

Rivas Rob Roy¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: J Gallagher| OR: 55| D

5/1

Disappointed when sent off as favourite at Wolverhampton last month (finished a long way behind Ubla) and needs to prove his previous win at Newcastle wasn't just a flash-in-the-pan; he's 1-15 on the AW and looks opposable from his current mark.

Form: 006187-

(10)

The British Lion^v²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: R Havlin| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 51| D

16/1

Won from a mark of 68 last January but had been in a steady decline until posting an encouraging effort over an extended mile at Wolverhampton last month. Possible he needs a bit further these days; the betting can guide.

Form: 790053-

(12)

Cromwell^t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: F Norton| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 51

50/1

Record stands at 0-16 and his profile on the AW is little short of dismal; very hard to make a case for the gelding other than he's paired off with one of the most experienced jockeys in the weighing room. Not much else going to him on recent form.

Form: 034P50-

Non-Runners

(8)

Penarth Pier²¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: Mrs C A Dunnett J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Phoenix Star (7/2), Brigand (9/2), Rivas Rob Roy (5/1), Classic Star (7/1), Viola Park (7/1), Sepahi (10/1), Penarth Pier (10/1), Ubla (11/1), Amor Fati (12/1), The British Lion (16/1), Amor Kethley (16/1), Cromwell (50/1)

This could be set up for UBLA to uphold recent form with Viola Park and gain another AW success on the way. The gelding needs to better previous form at this course but takes his chance at a winnable level and can build on a series of near misses. Sepani and the previously mentioned Viola Park are suggested as the main dangers, while Phoenix Star can also go close if the trip doesn't cause him any issues. Brigand has a 5lb penalty to cope with after his win here last week but is also highly respected.