19:00 Chelmsford City

Thursday 2 February 2023

All17:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Captain Ivy's Handicap

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 58.12s

(6)

Dusky Prince^b¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Mr Taylor Fisher⁽⁵⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 81| D

13/2

Three wins from 15 runs last year. First past post (subsequently disqualified and placed second) having caused significant interference with nearest rival late on. Clearly in good heart and he should go well again under good value claimer.

Form: 2678-3D

(5)

Blind Beggar^v1³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 79| BF

9/2

Knuckled down well when ending long losing run at Southwell (6f) in December. Not in same form at Newcastle (6f) early on last month but no surprise to see a better showing returned to 5f with visor reached for.

Form: 55521-7

(1)

Pop Dancer^p¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A W Carroll| OR: 79| CD

13/2

In cracking form when completing a hat-trick in the autumn, with the final leg coming at Lingfield (5f) in November. Respectable efforts next 2 starts and this less demanding than his latest assignment back at that venue 12 days ago.

Form: 1114-48

(7)

Parisiac^h1¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 77

33/1

Tenth of 11 in handicap (33/1) at Southwell (7.1f) 12 days ago, possibly unsuited by step up in trip. Mark has eased a little more ahead of this but others arrive with more pressing claims. Hood fitted.

Form: 70860-0

(3)

Harb²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S W Kelly| T: P Crate| OR: 77| C| D

10/3

Course winner. Latest win at Lingfield in December. Creditable second of 6 in handicap at this C&D (9/4) 21 days ago. Can give a good account once more.

Form: 16519-2

(2)

Atiyah²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Beasley| T: T D Barron| OR: 74| CD

7/1

In good form last spring, including a C&D win, but well below her best this winter, albeit stopping the slide to a degree when fourth in 6-runner C&D event latest. Still, needs to step up again if she's to play a lead role here.

Form: 16400-4

(8)

Mick's Spirit^v⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: C Allen| OR: 67| BF| D

11/4

7/2, career best when winning 7-runner handicap at Lingfield (5f, AW) 6 days ago, plenty in hand. No surprise to see him out under a penalty and whilst this rates tougher, he can't be discounted.

Form: 542-241

Non-Runners

(4)

La Roca Del Fuego¹²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 7

T: G Deacon J: George Bass

Forecasts

Mick's Spirit (11/4), Harb (10/3), Blind Beggar (9/2), Pop Dancer (13/2), Dusky Prince (13/2), Atiyah (7/1), La Roca Del Fuego (10/1), Parisiac (33/1)

Plenty in with a shout and it could just be worth chancing BLIND BEGGAR. A winner on debut for Mick Appleby in December, he failed to match that level at Newcastle since but a first-time visor could just put an edge on him back at 5f and he remains on a workable mark. Lingfield scorer Mick's Spirit and Dusky Prince head up the dangers.