15:55 Chelmsford City

Sunday 3 July 2022

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Betsi Handicap

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 1m 10.49s

(7)

Above^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Marco Ghiani| T: S C Williams| OR: 97| CD

4/1

Dual C&D winner, latest in November. Has finished runner-up twice since but ran poorly when nineteenth of 29 in Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) 17 days ago.

Form: 41-7220

(2)

Ayr Harbour⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 97| C

4/1

Course winner. 25/1, fared better than of late back sprinting for the first time in a while when fifth of 12 in handicap at Newcastle (6f) 8 days ago. Top claimer back on board and merits consideration.

Form: 336055

(5)

Strong Power²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 94| D

20/1

Three-time 5f winner on AW at Lingfield in 2022. Posted another solid effort there when third in April but he's not so good on turf and has finished down the field on his last couple of outings (latest over 6f). Should fare better back on the all-weather.

Form: 134396

(8)

Mohareb^p1⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 88| CD

20/1

Five-time winner on the AW, latest at Southwell in January. Has dropped back to his last winning mark as a result of some below-par efforts so would come as no surprise to see him get back on track. Yard also saddles Ayr Harbour.

Form: 927656

(3)

Tolstoy^p⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 94| D

4/1

Started and ended last season on a winning note, but he was put in his place on return/handicap debut at Newmarket. Stepped up on that effort when runner-up at Chester back in May but this is his first start on the all-weather and others look stronger.

Form: 0741-92

(6)

Crimson Sand^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 86| CD

9/4

C&D winner who is proving consistent this year, making the frame again when fourth of 11 in handicap at Newmarket (6f, good, 14/1) just over a fortnight ago. Not taken lightly back at this venue and with a top 5 lb claimer booked.

Form: 423224

(1)

Shanko²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: S M Levey| T: S C Williams| OR: 85| CD

15/2

Won AW novices at this track on first 2 outings. Progress has levelled off in handicaps since, only ninth of 11 in handicap at Musselburgh (5f, good to firm) 4 weeks ago. More required.

Form: 126039

(4)

El Hadeeyah^b1¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Ray Dawson| T: J Tate| OR: 78| D

33/1

33/1, showed more than on return when 5½ lengths fourth of 8 to Princess Shabnam in handicap at this C&D 17 days ago. That effort still some way short of her form at 2 yrs and hopes pinned on first-time blinkers eking out a bit extra.

Form: 0326-64

Non-Runners

(9)

Princess Shabnam¹⁷

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: S Woods J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Crimson Sand (9/4), Princess Shabnam (3/1), Tolstoy (4/1), Ayr Harbour (4/1), Above (4/1), Shanko (15/2), Strong Power (20/1), Mohareb (20/1), El Hadeeyah (33/1)

AYR HARBOUR fared better back sprinting for the first time in a while when fifth in a competitive event at Newcastle 8 days ago so Mick Appleby's charge is fancied to notch a sixth success on the all-weather with top apprentice Benoit de la Sayette booked to ride. Crimson Sand has filled the runner-up spot on 4 occasions this year and he's put forward as the main danger, with Princess Shabnam next on the list.