14:45 Chelmsford City

Sunday 24 July 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Betsi Handicap

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 1m 10.41s

(2)

Misty Grey¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 106| D

7/2

Smart performer on AW and again ran creditably on turf when ¾-length second of 7 to Laneqash in listed race at Chester (7f, good) 15 days ago. High mark to contend with but remains in good form.

Form: 233532

(3)

Dubai Station^p³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 98| CD

11/4

Scored over C&D in May but couldn't land a blow when sixteenth of 26 in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm, 40/1) 36 days ago. Possibilities from this sort of mark back here.

Form: 222-610

(6)

Tiger Crusade²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 97| D

20/1

Won at Kempton on final start last year but is yet to fire this term and looks hard to fancy on recent showings.

Form: 281-606

(12)

Emperor Spirit¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 93| CD

5/2

Done well for this yard, making winning start over C&D in June. Another good effort when second of 9 in handicap at Ascot (6f, firm) 16 days ago. Merits consideration despite unfavourable draw.

Form: 202-122

(5)

Strong Power²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 93| D

28/1

In-and-out form since landing Lingfield hat-trick in January. Shaped reasonably well when fifth of 8 in handicap at this C&D (20/1) 21 days ago but probably needs a couple of these to falter to score.

Form: 343965

(7)

Khunan¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: N Callan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 95

16/1

Runner-up in Richmond Stakes at 2 yrs and ran his best race since when ninth of 19 in handicap at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) 17 days ago. Interesting to see whether he can back that up on polytrack debut now 3 lb lower.

Form: 208-509

(8)

Desert Doctor¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: L Morris| T: E Walker| OR: 90| CD

40/1

C&D winner. Made frame twice at Meydan over the winter but hasn't been at best both starts since returning to the UK, eighth of 12 in handicap at Newmarket (8f, good to firm) 17 days ago. 8 lb higher back on AW and sprinting.

Form: 66-4378

(11)

Tomouh^p,t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 90| D

16/1

First past the post over 7f here on penultimate outing (demoted for causing interference) and was pulled up after rearing at start last time. That was worrying but she can't be ruled out.

Form: 224-8DP

(9)

If You Dare²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89| C| D

10/1

Won at Southwell in January and Lingfield in April. Back to form when ½ lengths third of 12 to Raatea at Newcastle last time and looks in the mix once again.

Form: 131093

(10)

Marks Bear⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 87| CD

16/1

Runner-up 4 times on AW over the winter but has failed to beat a rival on turf the last twice. Needs surface switch to spark him back to life, well handicapped if it does.

Form: 22-2209

(1)

Wonder Elzaam^b¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: J F Egan| T: J S Moore| OR: 79| D

16/1

Won twice last term and returned to form from out of blue when second of 9 in handicap here (7f) 12 days ago. This race is tougher again.

Form: 609862

Non-Runners

(4)

The Organiser⁴¹

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: J Tuite J: David Probert

Forecasts

Emperor Spirit (5/2), Dubai Station (11/4), Misty Grey (7/2), If You Dare (10/1), The Organiser (14/1), Wonder Elzaam (16/1), Khunan (16/1), Tomouh (16/1), Marks Bear (16/1), Tiger Crusade (20/1), Strong Power (28/1), Desert Doctor (40/1)

EMPEROR SPIRIT is yet to run a poor race for Archie Watson and can gain his second C&D win of the season despite a less-than-ideal draw. If You Dare and top-weight Misty Grey are also of interest in a competitive heat.