19:30 Chelmsford City

Thursday 27 February 2020

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

tote Is Back With Better Value Handicap

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 1m 12.42s

(1)

Griggy^b¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: S Curran| OR: 65| BF| CD

9/4

Has done nothing but progress since switching to the care of this yard, winning three times. Showed no ill effects when third at Kempton (6f) 11 days ago and should give another bold bid if still in good heart.

Form: 411-213

(2)

Upavon¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: A W Carroll| OR: 65| CD

5/2

On a bit of a losing run as of late but does have some modest form recently and fared better than the result suggested when 3L fifth at Kempton earlier this month. Off a workable mark so entitled to place claims.

Form: 289-445

(5)

Fareeq^b,t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: C Wallis| OR: 59| CD

6/1

Has been kept busy this winter with last win coming at Wolverhampton in January. Generally held form well since including latest third at Lingfield (6f) and looks set for a bold bid off 1lb lighter mark.

Form: 4-17253

(9)

Aquarius^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Jane Elliott| T: M Appleby| OR: 54| CD

16/1

Winner of a weak handicap at Wolverhampton in November but yet to really fire off higher marks recently, including 15L ninth at Southwell (6f) earlier this month. May be found wanting at this level again.

Form: 18-4559

(8)

Bernie's Boy^p,t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: P S McEntee| OR: 53| D

12/1

Inconsistent sort since winning at Lingfield since 2019 and yet to offer true runnings in last two starts, including fifth of eight at Lingfield (6f) in January. Down 2lb but may need more leeway in the handicap.

Form: 20-5395

(4)

Maid Millie^p⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: K T O'Neill| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 50| D

7/2

had been threatening to belatedly end her maiden drought with some good efforts before gaining deserved success at Kempton (6f) eight days ago. Dangerously poised off the same mark in this so holds leading claims.

Form: 34-4651

(3)

Meshardal^p²²

Age: 10| Weight: 8-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 45| D

12/1

On a barren losing run of 33 despite some promising efforts, but put in one of poorer attempts last time when eighth of 10 at Southwell this month. 13L defeat that day so does require a bounce back.

Form: 827-388

Non-Runners

(7)

Desert Land²³

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: J R Boyle J: Non Runner

(6)

Gunmaker¹²

Weight: 8-11| Age: 6

T: Mrs R Carr J: A Mullen

Forecasts

Griggy (9/4), Upavon (5/2), Maid Millie (7/2), Fareeq (6/1), Desert Land (6/1), Gunmaker (6/1), Bernie's Boy (12/1), Meshardal (12/1), Aquarius (16/1)

Plenty bring some good form into this contest with many still being given a chance by the handicapper, including the selection FAREEQ. His recent third suggests that his form is holding up pretty well and with some respite in the handicapper, it could see him get back to winning ways. Griggy has been on a massive upward trend since switching to his current yard but looks to be coming into the handicappers measure, while the likes of Maid Millie - who is due to go up 4lb in the near future - come into this race in fine form but requires a career-best effort.