chelmsfordcityracecourse.com Conditions Stakes (All-Weather Championships Fast-Track Qualifier)

Off time: 18:50 | Winning time: 3m 30.52s

(3)

Ranch Hand¹⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 106| D

4/1

Smart gelding who ended last season with a small-field listed success at Newmarket (2m) in September. Successful over hurdles since (disappointed last time) but one to be positive about back on Flat.

Form: 654641-

(1)

Lucky Deal²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 101| CD

5/2

Useful gelding. C&D winner. Latest win at Kempton in January. Creditable fifth of 9 in handicap at Wolverhampton (16.6f, 9/2) 26 days ago.

Form: 0/561-15

(2)

Rock Eagle⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 102| BF| D

8/11

Smart sort who resumed winning ways at Kempton (2m) in November. Creditable 1¼ lengths third of 8 to Lucky Deal in handicap back there 66 days ago and meets that rival on more favourable terms now.

Form: 4/2351-3

Non-Runners

(4)

Watersmeet²⁶

Weight: 9-5| Age: 10

T: C & M Johnston J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Rock Eagle (8/11), Lucky Deal (5/2), Ranch Hand (4/1), Watersmeet (4/1)

A good winner at Kempton in November, ROCK EAGLE again ran well when third at that venue in January behind re-opposing Lucky Deal. Better off at the weights on this occasion, he remains unexposed on all-weather and is fancied to come out on top. Ranch Hand looks the one for the forecast.