5.40pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 07/09/2017

Just the one previous winner in this field where the sales price decides the weight carried as well as winners’ penalties. It looks to be an interesting contest over six furlongs on the polytrack for the £7,116 first prize. See our full race preview and selection below ahead of the 5.40pm at Chelmsford tonight.

IN SUMMARY: Hikmaa was too glaringly obvious and a horrendous price in the circumstances. She has to give eight pounds to the selection PRISCILLA’S DREAM (Each Way) who has only had the one run when fourth at Newmarket in a decent looking maiden. She looked sure to improve significantly for that run after a slow start and a fast finish and, if that is the case, she can go very close this evening at a decent price.

1 SPEAK IN COLOURS – Trained in Newmarket by the in-form Marco Botti, the son of Excelebration ran surprisingly well on heavy going on his one run to date when third, beaten a short head by Book Of Dreams and Qianlong at Nottingham. Sure to strip fitter and learn from that experience, we have no idea yet whether he will or won’t handle the polytrack tonight. Nevertheless, he has got a race or two in him and ought to be more than good enough to get involved in the finish for a yard with a 27% strike rate in the last two weeks.

2 WEETON – Two runs for trainer Bryan Smart saw the son of Society Rock finish second on his Carlisle debut before a poor seventh at the same track in July, after which he was moved on to Julie Camacho. He then finished fourth to Equitant over five furlongs at Beverley last time out. He tries a sixth furlong for the first time this evening, as well as his first try on an all-weather surface, but could go close if adding any further improvement for the extra distance.

3 HIKMAA – Just the one race for Ed Vaughan’s filly but that was a winning one on the Newcastle polytrack where she pushed into the lead at the furlong pole and drew clear of her rivals. A tongue tie is added today to help her in case of any kick back and she seems sure to start favourite, perhaps deservedly so if she offers up any further improvement, although her price does seem on the skinny side

4 GOLD FILIGREE – Still a maiden after five starts, but not put off this after a good half length second to Milton Road here over five furlongs in a nursery last time out. She did keep on that day so may well do even better with a sixth furlong to travel. Richard Hughes has had four winners in the last two weeks, but others appeal more in this line-up and may yet have a touch too much class for her here.

5 ROOF GARDEN – Trainer Mark Tompkins is not renowned for his first-time out winners and seems to leave a little to work on as he educates them throughout their career, which invariably brings long-term rewards. That said, it seems hard to make a case for the son of Cityscape who “only” cost 11,000 guineas as a yearling and he may well find one or two of these a bit too wise for him first time out.

6 SHADOW SEEKER – Paul D’Arcy is in charge of the once raced Arcano filly who finished a 26 length last of 13 on her only run at Newmarket and obviously needs to show some dramatic improvement. Sent off 100/1 that day, it seems likely that she had been showing very little at home. Unless the market sees her very well supported now she has an awful lot of improvement to find. She cannot be recommended just yet for a trainer without a winner in the last two weeks.

7 FOLLOW THE FEELING – Two runs for the Henry Spiller filly saw a very promising fourth at Leicester before a less inspiring fifth at Redcar, with both races over seven furlongs. She was hampered slightly that day, however it didn’t really affect the result and she may well find herself outpaced dropped back to this trip, although Georgia Cox’s five-pound claim is an obvious bonus to her each way chances

8 AGENT OF FORTUNE – Two starts so far have seen the daughter of Kheleyf sent off at odds of 250/1 and 50/1 and finish fifth of seven at Yarmouth and then last at Newmarket on soft ground in a first-time hood. The hood remains which suggests that it was the softer going that was her undoing and it will be interesting to see if she does any better on the all-weather here.

9 PRISCILLA’S DREAM – Trainer Philip McBride is more than capable given the right ammunition and the daughter of Bated Breath caught the eye first-time out when an eight length fourth at Newmarket after a slow start. With that experience under her belt she seems sure to offer up much more today and, with the excellent Luke Morris in the saddle, a big run is expected.