16:00 Chelmsford City

Thursday 3 November 2022

All14:2515:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:3018:0018:30

Betsi Handicap

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 1m 25.10s

(2)

Shark Two One¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Oliver Stammers⁽³⁾| T: Jessica Macey| OR: 72

12/1

Fifteen runs since last win in 2020. Overall profile is in-and-out and has been below par on last 2 outings, so others preferred despite sliding mark.

Form: 675380

(7)

Granary Queen^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 72| D

11/1

4 wins from 13 runs this year. Latest win at Lingfield in September. Shaped better than result when seventh of 9 in handicap (15/2) at Brighton (8f, soft) 21 days ago, not ideally placed away from favoured stand rail. Should be closer to form this time.

Form: 155217

(3)

Hot Chesnut^v1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Charlie Bennett| T: D K Ivory| OR: 71

16/1

Runner-up at Nottingham and Yarmouth this season but ran a disappointing race when only ninth of 14 in handicap at Salisbury (6f, good) 35 days ago. Visor on 1st time. Others make more appeal.

Form: 492429

(1)

Yoshimi¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: T Eaves| T: M Herrington| OR: 70| D

9/2

Best effort since winning at Leicester in August when third of 13 in handicap at Southwell (7.1f, 14/1) 14 days ago, though didn't fully convince with finishing effort. Nevertheless, not ruled out on polytrack debut.

Form: 147243

(4)

Legende d'Art^p³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Christian Howarth⁽⁵⁾| T: H Spiller| OR: 70| CD

4/1

C&D winner. 2 wins from 6 runs this year. Latest win at Yarmouth in May. 15/2, creditable fourth of 12 in handicap on return from 4-month break at this course (6f) 35 days ago. Step back up in trip will suit and he holds frame claims.

Form: 217214

(8)

Eponina^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Theodore Ladd| T: M Appleby| OR: 69| D

28/1

Latest win at Catterick in June and has largely held form since, including when creditable fourth of 12 in handicap (14/1) at Yarmouth (8f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Not discounted from last winning mark.

Form: 912454

(9)

Full Intention^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: S Pearce| OR: 69| CD

12/1

5-time C&D winner. 11/1, not disgraced when fourth of 13 in handicap at Southwell (7.1f) 14 days ago, doing best work late. Wide draw not ideal but can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 650944

(5)

Gnat Alley²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: C Allen| OR: 69

17/2

Latest win at Thirsk in May. Hasn't really had rub of green of her most recent outings, unseating rider at start at Yarmouth last time. Others still looks better treated at weights.

Form: 02646U

(6)

Free Solo^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: J A Osborne| OR: 68

11/1

Eighteen runs since last win in 2019. Possesses a patchy profile, failed to build on a promising effort when tenth of 13 in handicap at this course (8f, 14/1) 12 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 676930

(11)

Falesia Beach^p²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 68| D

9/1

Winner at Chepstow in August. Shaped like the best horse at the weights when fourth of 8 in handicap at this course (8f) 26 days ago, headed only after stamina gave way late. Interesting despite wide draw.

Form: 432154

(10)

Epic Express⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: George Bass⁽³⁾| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 67| C| D

5/1

Won over 6f here in September and shaped very encouragingly from poor draw when second in similar event at this course (6f) 7 days ago, clear of rest. The one to beat if able to continue his improvement over longer trip.

Form: 925162

Forecasts

Legende d'Art (4/1), Yoshimi (9/2), Epic Express (5/1), Gnat Alley (17/2), Falesia Beach (9/1), Granary Queen (11/1), Free Solo (11/1), Shark Two One (12/1), Full Intention (12/1), Hot Chesnut (16/1), Eponina (28/1)

A tricky race, with perhaps the most interesting horses drawn widest. EPIC EXPRESS shaped very well from a similar position over 6f here last time and goes from the same mark, so is narrowly fancied to overcome the draw and gain another course success. Falesia Beach is one to keep on side, with Legende d'Art perhaps best of the remainder.