19:00 Chelmsford City

Thursday 27 February 2025

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

Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 2m 51.37s

(11)

Vitruvian Dawn^h²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S D Bowen| T: M Murphy| OR: 55

50/1

Little impact in a trio of novice races, but denied a clear run on handicap debut when thirteenth of 14 at Kempton (12f, 33/1) 29 days ago. Still has work to do, though, with hood reapplied.

Form: 05-70

(6)

Unification²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: P S McEntee| OR: 53

22/1

Failed to improve sent handicapping last year and, after 8 months off, was too free when last of 10 at Wolverhampton (14f, 66/1) 26 days ago. Has fallen further in the weights but others more persuasive at present.

Form: 76/098-0

(2)

Virtual Hug³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 51

11/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2024. Wasn't in same form as first start this year when seventh of 11 in handicap at Wolverhampton (12.2f, 10/1) 38 days ago, but he's not ruled out from 3 lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 7476-27

(7)

Smokey Malone^b,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Dylan Hogan| T: J & S Birkett| OR: 51| C

5/1

Returned to winning ways in minor event at Southwell (12.1f) in January and backed up that effort when third of 8 in handicap (15/8) at same C&D 15 days ago, nearest finish. Merits consideration back up in trip.

Form: 648-513

(10)

Foinix^b¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: J & S Best| OR: 50| C

9/1

Course winner. Successful in back-to-back minor events (both at around 12f) in August but hasn't been in quite the same form in handicaps since, sixth of 10 at Lingfield (10f, 5/1) 36 days ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 454-76V

(3)

Mhajim^h¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Joey Haynes| T: C Banham| OR: 50

9/2

Sixteen runs since last win in 2022. Regular slow starter and made little impression when fifth of 9 in handicap at Southwell (12.1f, 5/1) 15 days ago. Lurks on a dangerous mark but he needs everything to drop right.

Form: 354-465

(4)

Zooks^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Loughnane| T: Ian Williams| OR: 49

2/1

Still looking for first success but has acquitted herself well both starts this year, in first-time cheekpieces when second of 9 in minor event at Southwell (12.1f, 15/8) 27 days ago. Could be in the mix.

Form: 355-22V

(1)

The Resdev Way²⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 9-4| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 48| D

11/1

Ended long losing run at Wolverhampton (14f) in November. Bounce back now called for having finished last of 8 to Smokey Malone in minor event at Southwell (12.1f, 7/2) 27 days ago, but return to this longer trip should suit.

Form: 3316-38

(12)

Mapogo³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Grace McEntee| T: M Pattinson| OR: 48

40/1

Continues to struggle for form, eighth of 12 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, 50/1) 36 days ago. Has enough to prove as he tries this longer distance.

Form: 9007-78

(13)

This Time Maybe¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Tyler Heard| T: M D I Usher| OR: 47

6/1

Maiden but was placed in handicaps at Wolverhampton (12.2f) first 2 starts this year. Never a threat when fifth of 11 in minor event (11/2) at the same C&D 17 days ago, so more needed as he goes further up in trip.

Form: 090-325

(5)

Reason To Pass¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Charles Bishop| T: Ian Williams| OR: 45

80/1

Remains with little solid form, again finishing well held when sixth of 7 in handicap at Southwell (11.1f, 80/1) 12 days ago. Looks to be up against it over this distance for the first time.

Form: 7009-96

(8)

Rogue Raider^p⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Marco Ghiani| T: C Hobson| OR: 46

20/1

Twelve-race maiden. Mid-field in 2 starts at this course (14f) at the turn of the year, but lesser effort when tenth of 11 in handicap (66/1) at Wolverhampton (16.6f) 40 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 0696-50

Non-Runners

(9)

Smith⁶⁷

Weight: 9-8| Age: 9

T: Mrs L Richards J: R Havlin

(14)

Certain Style⁶⁷

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: Mrs L J Mongan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Zooks (2/1), Mhajim (9/2), Smith (9/2), Smokey Malone (5/1), This Time Maybe (6/1), Foinix (9/1), Virtual Hug (11/1), The Resdev Way (11/1), Certain Style (14/1), Rogue Raider (20/1), Unification (22/1), Mapogo (40/1), Vitruvian Dawn (50/1), Reason To Pass (80/1)

SMITH took advantage of his much-reduced mark when scoring at Lingfield on his latest outing, having to overcome trouble in running, so a 3 lb rise back up in the weights might not be enough to prevent him from following up. Heading the list of dangers is Smokey Malone, who has returned to form on his last 2 starts, with Zooks also considered.