19:10 Chelmsford City

Saturday 25 February 2023

All17:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

Peggy Steeden Handicap

Off time: 19:12 | Winning time: 2m 54.80s

(1)

Protected Guest²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 87

7/1

Three wins from 15 runs last year. Down the field both starts this year, last of 9 in handicap at Southwell (12.1f, 16/1) 23 days ago. Has something to prove at present.

Form: 4773-89

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(4)

Captain Kane²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Scott| OR: 86| BF

7/1

Seven wins from 13 runs last year. 8/1, offered little when seventh of 8 in juvenile event at Huntingdon (15.8f, good to soft) on hurdling bow 26 days ago. Makes polytrack debut. Could bounce back on the level.

Form: 441135-

(8)

Halic²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Darragh Keenan| T: R Eddery| OR: 81

4/1

Improved again when making a winning handicap debut in 7-runner event at Lingfield (1m4f, AW, 5/2) 29 days ago, having run of race. First run for yard after leaving Owen Burrows. Respected.

Form: 6/32-1

(2)

Brasca³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: K Stott| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 80| C

4/1

Course winner. Blinkered for 1st time, back on track when fourth of 9 in handicap (14/1) at Southwell (12.1f) 39 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Ralph Beckett. Has dropped to a tempting mark.

Form: 2/0475-4

(7)

Bearaway¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: D Swift| T: S Spencer| OR: 74

12/1

Latest win at Windsor in October. 33/1, step back in right direction when 3 lengths fourth of 7 to Bit Harsh in handicap at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 18 days ago. Needs to build on latest effort.

Form: 3178-54

(6)

Bit Harsh^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽³⁾| T: A King| OR: 76| C

6/4

Course winner. 11/8, completed hat-trick in 7-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 18 days ago, keeping on well. Can score again in his current form.

Form: 4301-11

(5)

Cedar Cage^h¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Cam Hardie| T: D Shaw| OR: 70

80/1

Off further 12 months since stable debut, again failed to beat a rival in handicap at Wolverhampton (12.2f, 100/1) 12 days ago. Makes little appeal.

Form: 3352/8-0

Non-Runners

(3)

Red Flyer⁴⁹

Weight: 9-13| Age: 5

T: K Jewell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Bit Harsh (6/4), Halic (4/1), Brasca (4/1), Red Flyer (5/1), Protected Guest (7/1), Captain Kane (7/1), Bearaway (12/1), Cedar Cage (80/1)

BIT HARSH has thrived this winter back on all-weather with cheekpieces applied, completing a hat-trick of handicap wins with success at Wolverhampton, and the 4-y-o can extend his winning run in his current mood. Halic made a winning handicap debut last time and is respected on his first run for a new yard, with Red Flyer completing the shortlist.