6.45pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 06/04/2017

This is an interesting Class 4 handicap, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: At the prices it’s worth taking a chance on Amanda Perrett’s DASCHAS. He’s a course winner and the step up to a mile should bring out plenty of improvement with Ryan Moore booked to ride. Tricorn is an obvious threat off what could still be a kind mark whilst Harlow’s one to watch again in the betting for Hugo Palmer.

1 TRICORN – Nice sort for John Gosden who’s recorded two victories and a placed effort in three career starts. He broke his maiden tag in a bit of a non-contest at Wolverhampton and then went on to punish the handicapper for a lowly mark at Newcastle in early March. He’s gone up 10lbs in the weights which puts him on a mark of 85 here but he looks like a lovely progressive sort and John Gosden’s 27% strike rate could be bettered here by this Helmet colt. Respected.

2 MUSTARRID – 140,000 Euros purchase as a yearling and he’s done well in two career starts to date. He progressed from his maiden run to become an easy 5 length winner of a Class 6 maiden over 7 furlongs at Wolverhampton back in December. He’s had a bit of time off the track since then but should go on to better things this season and a mark of 84 sets a fair enough task on debut. Likely to have plenty of progression in him and he’ll be popular here.

3 HARLOW – Landed a bit of a touch for connections on his racecourse debut when running out a comfortable winner of a nine-runner maiden. He was a bit keen that day but did it in good fashion and finished ahead of a decent enough sort of John Gosden’s yard. A mark of 84 looks a fair mark on his handicap debut although he’ll need to find more improvement to overcome a couple here. Respected with the hood left on again today for a yard with a 23% strike rate here.

4 DASCHAS – Oasis Dream colt who improved plenty to win a maiden at the second time of asking by 3 3/4 lengths. It wasn’t the strongest maiden and he was entitled to win that contest on breeding and the handicapper has been fair and allotted him an opening mark of 82. The step up in trip should definitely suit him and the presence of Ryan Moore (41% strike rate here) should be greatly respected. Should be lots to come.

5 ME TOO NAGASAKI – Ran a nice race on debut in a decent Class 4 maiden at Newbury and he didn’t have to improve much to break his maiden tag at just the second time of asking. He’s by Iffraaj and he steps up in trip again today which should bring out more improvement off a 113-day break. Trainer has sent out a recent winner but others look better treated at today’s weights.

6 ANNIE FIOR – Won a maiden at Chelmsford back in November over 7 furlongs and was highly tried at Lingfield in March when entered into a listed handicap. She finished last of nine that day off a mark of 80 and the handicapper has left her unchanged following that effort. She drops down in grade today but others make more appeal on pedigree and form. Yard have a 17% strike rate here.

7 DROCHAID – One of the more exposed types in this and Andrew Balding’s Mastercraftsman colt was well-beaten when last seen at Doncaster last September. That came in a better grade than this but the form has been let down slightly since and the handicapper has only dropped him a pound for that effort. He’s not discounted off this mark but others have better claims at today’s weights. May be better when returned to the turf.

8 TOY THEATRE – Thrashed a modest field in a Class 5 handicap back in March when running out a 5 length winner. She was well-backed that day and the handicapper has been tough on her and raised her to a mark of 74 today (up 10lbs). She’s clearly thriving at the moment but this is a much tougher assignment and she’ll need to take another big step forward to get involved here.