7.25pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 08/12/2016

IN SUMMARY: With Polar Forest now a non runner, this looks an ideal opportunity for the class dropping STORM KING who has been running consistently well recently. With Pleasure went close at this course last time so has to be respected falling down the weights. Graceful James could go well if the step up in trip sparks improvement.

1 POLAR FOREST – Stayed on strongly when landing the spoils at Newcastle when last seen and carries a very manageable penalty. Was in patchy form prior to that but the return to the All Weather seems to have done the trick, winning with a bit in hand. Richard Guest is in decent form so expect a big run from the 6 year old. (Non Runner)

2 STORM KING – Takes a drop down to Class 5 for the first time since back in 2012 so is granted respect with that in mind. Has been in fair form the last twice over the same course and distance as today’s race, and although not winning for two years (partly down to a lengthy lay off) has strong claims tonight.

3 GLENALMOND – Won on debut but has found life tough going ever since. Has been highly tried without success in that time but his record overall leaves a bit to be desired, best watched.

4 SAN QUENTIN – Has slipped to a decent mark but his recent form hasn’t been very inspiring. Won here at the start of the year off a mark of 66 but is now racing off 71. Has potential to be battling it out for a place if on song.

5 BUSHEL – Has hit the frame on quite a few occasions on the All Weather but recent form makes him very hard to recommend. Step back up in trip will suit but that is unlikely going to be enough for him to figure here.

6 GRACEFUL JAMES – Thirds on his last two runs, both of which were at Chelmsford. Was running-on on both occasions so the step up two furlongs in trip makes perfect sense. Keeps the same mark and wouldn’t be a surprise if he made the places.

7 SPECULATOR – Last run looked to bad to be true, beaten out of sight and was never travelling well. That would be enough to look elsewhere on this occasion.

8 NEW STREET – Has struggled for form recently, finishing eighth last time out at Kempton and ninth the time before that at Lingfield. Is well treated on past form, but has been for a while, so until showing signs of a revival is probably best left alone.

9 WITH PLEASURE – A 33/1 shot when finishing second over a mile at today’s track at the beginning of the month. That came out of the blue however and it is slightly off putting that he has lacked any consistency so far in his career. If in the right mood he could go close but with it being likely he will go off favourite, we happily oppose.

10 LORD OF THE STORM – Won narrowly over today’s course in July but has struggled since. Is still slightly too high in the weights at present to be considered.

11 THAHAB IFRAJ – The cheekpieces are now tried for this 6-race maiden. Has only had two All Weather runs in that time and hasn’t shown much thus far. Could find the improvement needed from the applied headgear but it comes attached with some risk.