18:45 Chelmsford City

Thursday 9 October 2025

All16:0016:3517:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:15

Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 18:53 | Winning time: 1m 23.62s

(6)

Signcastle City¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 81| D

4/1

Successful 3 times last season and is back below his last winning mark. Again dwelt at the start when below form seventh of 13 in a handicap at Newcastle (8f) 11 days ago but has his sights lowered here. No surprise to see him in the mix.

Form: 503277

(8)

Benacre²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 79| D

7/2

Made all to win 13-runner Racing League handicap (14/1) at Southwell (7f) in August, just holding on. Backed that up returned to turf when second of 10 in a handicap (7/1) at Chester (7f, good) 27 days ago, no match for thriving winner. Could be dangerous if allowed an easy lead.

Form: 647612

(7)

King Of Bears³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Darragh Keenan| T: George Scott| OR: 79

18/1

Creditable effort when midfield in a 5f Racing League handicap at Yarmouth over the summer but well below form in subsequent starts. Continues to fall in the weights but remains to be seen if he can get back on track over a markedly longer trip on all-weather debut.

Form: 730600

(2)

Commander Of Life³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Jessica Macey| OR: 76| C| D

5/1

Course winner. Latest win at Doncaster in July (also runner-up there on penultimate start) but turned in a rare poor effort in a better race when 20/1, fourteenth of 16 in handicap at York (7.9f, good to firm) 32 days ago. Could be more competitive back down in grade.

Form: 241020

(5)

Rascal Recknell²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Edward Greatrex| T: M Appleby| OR: 76| CD

11/4

Solid form when winning on stable debut at Doncaster and bounced straight back to form with a career best when winning 10-runner handicap at this C&D 28 days ago. In the right hands to keep improving and should go well again.

Form: 998-161

(1)

Newsreader^p³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: K Shoemark| T: E Smyth-Osbourne| OR: 76| D

7/2

Three-time winner over 7f at Kempton. Back to his best since headgear has been fitted by new connections, coping well with the drop in trip when third of 12 in a handicap (15/2) at Windsor (6f, good) 31 days ago. Respected returning to 7f on the all-weather.

Form: 609823

(3)

Liberalised¹⁰⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S De Sousa| T: James Horton| OR: 76

40/1

Fairly useful juvenile for Karl Burke but has struggled to get competitive for new yard, disappointed when visored for first time (now removed) finishing last of 9 in a handicap at Carlisle (6.9f, soft, 33/1) in June. Back on the all-weather with a bit to prove on return.

Form: 9-46869

Non-Runners

(9)

Ultramarine¹⁹

Weight: 9-12| Age: 6

T: P D Evans J: Non Runner

(4)

Noble Guest³

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: G G Margarson J: J F Egan

Forecasts

Rascal Recknell (11/4), Benacre (7/2), Newsreader (7/2), Signcastle City (4/1), Commander Of Life (5/1), Noble Guest (7/1), Ultramarine (16/1), King Of Bears (18/1), Liberalised (40/1)

RASCAL RECKNELL made it 2 wins from 3 starts for new connections with a career-best success over C&D last month and he may be able to follow up that victory. Signcastle City is below his latest winning mark and ought to be much more competitive with sights lowered, while Rascal Recknell ran well over 6f on turf last time and is respected back over 7f on the all-weather. Benacre is the likely pace angle and could go well if able to dictate.