1.20pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 22/12/2016

Nine go to post for the second race of the day at Chelmsford on the All Weather, a mile handicap. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: It is worth taking a chance on STARBOARD, who was once rated over 100 and due to some poor efforts of late has dropped down to career low mark. Jamie Spencer takes over today and he may well be worth the risk today as if anywhere near his best form he’d be incredibly dangerous. Curzon Line may the main danger after his latest easy victory here, but is up 9lb for that excursion.

1 STREET DUEL – Has a chance on his best form for previous yards but has been very in and out form wise, and he’s dropped in trip today with headgear left off. Stable debut for Ismail Mohammed and will need to show more today to get involved with the inform Sean Levey on board.

2 SQUIRE – Ended a very long drought when winning over C&D earlier this month and has been raised 4lb for that effort. Impossible to rule out if he builds upon that effort but hard to trust he will as his last victory before that came in May 2015. Considered for places.

3 STARBOARD – Has dropped a long way down the weights and although he’s been quite underwhelming of late, latest when 7th over C&D back in November, he does have some good form in the book and was once rated over 100. If coming back to form he’s on a very dangerous mark and is worth a chance with Jamie Spencer taking over today.

4 EDGE OF HEAVEN – Not really finding her feet this year, with no good form to show. Well held off this mark 10 days ago and hard to fancy her today.

5 CURZON LINE – Had been out of sorts before coming back to form from seemingly nowhere, finishing 2nd here over 7f in November and then winning easily 7 days later over the same C&D. Goes up 9lb for that effort but has better form in the book from his younger years so he may well be able to push it aside. Considered.

6 INAAM – Has won three times this year and tackles a new trip today which should suit judging by his previous runs and pedigree. Latest win came at Newcastle last time out in good style, rallying well to get back up in the closing stages (7f, Std). Has a very good chance of going back to back if deriving improvement for this new trip, so is an interesting contender today.

7 EXCEEDING POWER – Consistent sort who is almost certain to give his running, but it is quite clear that he has no room for error of his current mark, placing four times out of his last six runs since winning at Newmarket back in May (7f, Good to Firm). Remains opposable for win purposes.

8 TELLOVOI – Beaten off of this mark the last three starts, but did put in an improved display when a close fourth at Newcastle last week (7f, Std). Needs to show more if he’s to be involved today and may just struggle to beat a few of these.

9 FANTASY GLADIATOR – On a good mark based off of previous form but has been poor the last five runs, and now new headgear is reached for. Doesn’t strike as an obvious type to win this today.