2.50pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 22/12/2016

Twelve horses line up for this Class 5 handicap over 7f in the fifth race at Chelmsford today. Read on for our expert’s thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: If none the worse for his close third when well backed to win over C&D a week ago then PLUS NIGHT should take this quite comfortably. Stuart Williams has his string in fine form at the moment and he will fancy his colt by Exceed And Excel to gain compensation in this and score an overdue success today. Medicean El Diablo ran a career best to win at Kempton last time out and can get involved if progressing further. Remember Me should also be in the shake-up if running to his best turf form.

1 Billyoakes – Has been running consistently since August bar a blip at Nottingham (Good) in August over the minimum trip. Eventually managed to land his first win in over two years when scoring comfortably over 6f on this track three weeks ago but flopped on the fibresand at Southwell nine days ago. Should find conditions more to his liking in this but looks held with the likely favourite.

2 Remember Me – Sole career win came on the turf at Lingfield in July and had been running well prior to that. Mixed form since but did finish runner up over C&D two starts ago and given she doesn’t have many miles on the clock, can be in the shake up if putting her last run behind her when only mid-division over C&D.

3 Gulland Rock – Has been in good form with four wins this year, three at Wolverhampton up to 7f. Last win came at Kempton in weaker race than this and not beaten far when sixth of 9 there on his last start from a 1lb higher mark. Would have a good chance today if allowed to dominate but up against a couple of in-form rivals today and can be ruled out today.

4 Higher Court – Previously trained in the US and two time winner up to 6f there. Returned from a three year absence this Autumn after one run for Dandy Nicholls and showed moderate promise when fifth over 5f on this course fourteen days ago. Stayed on late that day but not sure to prove this over the 7f and hard to fancy against rivals with better form at this trip.

5 Plus Night – Has run well in all of his three starts for the yard and was unlucky last week to finish third when hampered 1f out. Ran on well that day to suggest he should have run a lot closer than he did and off the same mark for this he can get his first belated win at the fourth time of asking. Big player.

6 Sunnyside Bob – Had some decent form for his two previous trainers but yet to fire for Neville Bycroft in two starts. Has taken a tumble in the weights but still a maiden after fourteen runs and hard to fancy today.

7 Star Of The Stage – Previously trained by Julia Feilden for whom he won twice on the AW earlier this year. Only sold for £7,000 after finishing tenth of 16 at Kempton two months ago and best watched for now unless the money comes for him on his first start for this yard.

8 Minminwin – Won two starts ago at Redcar (Good/Soft), getting up to win by a neck in a Class 5 maiden over 5f. Ran quite well in fifth next time out when 9lb worse off at the weights but only mid-division last time at Redcar and has mixed form in tow AW starts. Others look stronger.

9 The Happy Hammer – Last three wins have come at this track up to 1m in minor events. Well below form on his last two starts including when tenth of 16 on this course two months ago after a break of three months. Absence to overcome again here and can be ruled out today despite his good mark.

10 Medicean El Diablo – Only eight runs so far including four in Ireland and ran a career best for new yard when landing a 7f handicap at Kempton last month by ¾ of a length. That came in a less competitive race and needs to prove it against some stronger opposition today but no reason to suggest he will not run well again but looks held by the likely favourite on what he has shown so far and will have to settle for minor money in this.

11 Misu Pete – Won back to back races at Wolverhampton in minor races earlier this Spring and has struggled up to Class 5 company since. Recent runs dropped down in class haven’t gone to plan and only seventh of 12 in a handicap on his last start. On a decent mark for this and should give his running but will no doubt struggle again in this level and best watched for now until he drops in grade again.

12 Strictly Art – Won at Southwell on his second career start in a claimer but largely patchy form since. Finished a well beaten fifth of 12 in a Class 6 handicap at this track over 1m last week. Others have stronger chances for win purposes today.