19:45 Chelmsford City

Friday 10 February 2023

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

St. Valentine's Weekend Handicap

Off time: 19:47 | Winning time: 1m 37.67s

(5)

Poetic Force¹¹^{(ex 4)}

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: Mollie Phillips⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 73| D

13/2

In good order since the turn of the year, making it 2 wins from last 3 starts when landing 5-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 11 days ago, quickening to lead final 1f. Of interest again under a penalty.

Form: 346-171

(2)

Meng Tian^b²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: S Woods| OR: 74

14/1

16/1 and blinkered for 1st time, respectable third of 10 in handicap at Wolverhampton (7.2f) 25 days ago, hanging left final 1f and one paced. Now operating 5 lb below last winning mark if he can build on that effort.

Form: 5527-73

(4)

Super Den²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Levi Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: T Kent| OR: 74| D

10/3

Won 12-runner handicap (11/2) at Lingfield (8f, AW) 20 days ago, leading final 1f and all out to hold on. Proving a model of consistency since switched back to AW and he should give another good account.

Form: 8413-21

(7)

Light Up Our Stars^h⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: S H James| T: S Dixon| OR: 73| CD

5/1

4-time course winner. Four wins from 18 runs last year. 9/1, respectable fourth of 10 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f) 52 days ago, better placed than most. Consistency hard to knock but he remains 3 lb above last winning mark.

Form: 265654-

(3)

Racing Country¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: S Pearce| OR: 72| D

28/1

First run since leaving Daniel Steele when ninth of 10 in handicap (28/1) at Southwell (8.1f) 15 days ago, racing in midfield and never a threat. That was his first start for 10 months and this ought to reveal more.

Form: 115/75-9

(1)

Sandy Paradise²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Deon Le Roux⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 71| D

5/2

Latest win at Kempton in January. Cheekpieces on for 1st time, creditable third of 13 in handicap at that venue (7f) 2 days ago. Expected to be bang there again.

Form: 320-413

(6)

Bond Boy^v⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Frederick Larson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 66| C

18/5

Back on the up on AW this winter, posting a career-best display when making it 3 wins from last 4 starts over 7f here 8 days ago. No surprise to see him out under a penalty and he's a live player once more.

Form: 2-41511

Forecasts

Sandy Paradise (5/2), Super Den (10/3), Bond Boy (18/5), Light Up Our Stars (5/1), Poetic Force (13/2), Meng Tian (14/1), Racing Country (28/1)

A winner at Kempton on his penultimate start, SANDY PARADISE again ran well despite an uncharacteristic tardy start when third back at that venue on Wednesday and he earns the vote with the return to 1m likely to be in his favour. Bond Boy is thriving himself and rates the lead threat, ahead of Super Den and Poetic Force.