16:35 Chelmsford City

Friday 7 February 2020

All16:3517:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

toteplacepot First Bet Of The Day Handicap

Off time: 16:38 | Winning time: 1m 40.31s

(12)

Sharp Operator^h¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: William Carson| T: C Wallis| OR: 54| CD

12/1

Won over C&D four starts ago off 3lb lower. Not beaten far when making the frame the last twice over C&D and Lingfield. He is fairly consistent for this type of race and is worthy of consideration.

Form: 4316-34

(3)

Zayriyan^t³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Charles Bishop| T: A Stronge| OR: 53WS

14/1

0-24 flat/jumps; made a fair British/stable debut when fifth at Wolverhampton (1m1½f) two starts back but ran poorly at Lingfield (7f) last time. Had a wind-op since his last run but stays 2m over hurdles and may need further still.

Form: 707050-

(5)

Bold Decision⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A W Carroll| OR: 53| BF

1/1

Only had seven runs and has improved with each start since joining this yard, culminating in a narrow defeat at Wolverhampton (7f) on Monday. Kept on well on his last two starts and the extra furlong here should suit. Strong player.

Form: 050-742

(6)

Bird To Love^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Ellie Mackenzie⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 52

50/1

Won off 1lb lower at Kempton (1m3f) in November but that the only standout effort in her last seven starts. Well beaten on her last three outings and this drop back in trip unlikely to be a positive. Others preferred.

Form: 7910-07

(7)

Lacan^e/s1⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Russell Harris⁽⁷⁾| T: M L W Bell| OR: 51| CD

16/1

C&D winner of 31lb higher in March 2018 but has been on the decline since then. Plummeted down the weights since joining this yard nine months ago. Eyeshield now added but significantly more required on recent evidence.

Form: 080968-

(8)

Irish Times¹⁴¹

20/1

Dual C&D winner in the spring (2-14 record now), but has turned in a quintet of really poor performances since then. Returns from a five-month break and a wind-operation.

Form: 490890-

(14)

Theydon Spirit⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: P Charalambous| OR: 48

12/1

Posted a career best when touched off in the first-time visor here (7f) two starts ago but couldn't match that form at Kempton (1m) on Saturday. Visor now dispensed with and wide-draw not ideal.

Form: 665-628

(13)

Arlecchino's Leap^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Isobel Francis⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 48| CD

14/1

Scored at Wolverhampton off a mark of 72 in March 2018 but has failed to add to his tally since. Mark has been plunging lately but there were some mild positives to be taken from his 4¾L fourth at Wolverhampton (1m1½f) last time.

Form: 9989-54

(11)

Cristal Pallas Cat¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: R Ingram| OR: 47| D

14/1

Won narrowly off 1lb lower at Brighton (1m) in August. After a few poor efforts he has bounced back to form the last twice, most recently when third at Lingfield (1m) 14 days ago. A repeat of that performance would see him involved. Each-way claims.

Form: 15604-3

(15)

Roca Magica¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 47| BF| CD

8/1

Had a good spell in recent weeks with a C&D win between placed efforts at Lingfield (7f) and Wolverhampton (1m1½f). The return to this course could help for all she is drawn poorly. In better form than most, however, and is respected.

Form: 5592-13

(9)

Nicky Baby^v¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Sophie Ralston⁽⁵⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 45| CD

20/1

Returned from a break with two fair efforts over C&D (behind Roca Magica) and at Kempton (1m). Needs to step-forward once again but could make the frame if doing so.

Form: 9978-46

(1)

Grandee Daisy²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Quinn| T: M Appleby| OR: 45

33/1

Her sole victory came on the Kempton (6f) in October 2018. Has been tailed off on all three starts since switching yards, with her latest outing coming here over C&D, when beating only one rival. Others appeal more.

Form: 6089-88

(4)

Musee D'Orsay³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: F Norton| T: A W Carroll| OR: 45

10/1

Well supported (16/1 into 6/1) on British/stable debut at Wolverhampton (5f) five weeks ago but missed the break and never got involved. Best run in Ireland came over this trip and yard having a cracking winter so has to be shortlisted.

Form: 0/0075-7

(10)

Ebony Belle^b⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S Donohoe| T: Mrs L C Jewell| OR: 45

66/1

Placed twice at Sligo in 2019 (6f/5½f) and came home seventh at Southwell (7f) beaten 6½L on her final start for her previous stable. Best watched now for new yard and basement mark and 8lb out of the weights.

Form: 303007-

(2)

Sixth Of June¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: Simon Earle| OR: 45

66/1

11-race maiden who has been struggling badly of late, including when beaten 8L at Lingfield (1m) two weeks ago. Is 9lb out of the weights here and would be a surprise winner.

Form: 0/390-70

Non-Runners

(16)

Martin King⁹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: J Butler J: J Mitchell

Forecasts

Bold Decision (1/1), Roca Magica (8/1), Musee D'Orsay (10/1), Sharp Operator (12/1), Theydon Spirit (12/1), Cristal Pallas Cat (14/1), Zayriyan (14/1), Arlecchino's Leap (14/1), Lacan (16/1), Martin King (16/1), Nicky Baby (20/1), Irish Times (20/1), Grandee Daisy (33/1), Bird To Love (50/1), Sixth Of June (66/1), Ebony Belle (66/1)

A tight, tricky handicap to open proceedings with a chance being taken on MUSEE D'ORSAY. Having been well-backed on his first run in Britain last time, he found everything happening too quickly over the minimum trip and a return to 1m should suit. The best recent form comes from Bold Decision and Roca Magica and both of those should make their presence felt at the business end.