3.50pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 19/12/2016

A competitive 7f handicap with thirteen horses going to post for the £2,588 first prize. Read on for our expert’s thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Powered didn’t too badly in three runs for Jo Hughes last year and he is an interesting recruit for the yard of David Evans. He can go well here under his promising claimer but might bump into one in the shape of GREAT EXPECTATIONS. He is on a good mark for this and recent runs are encouraging for the context of this race. He can just edge what should be a tight race with Kenstone taken to follow them home.

1 Emily Goldfinch – Lightly-raced filly with only six runs so far. Ran her best on second start at this course over 6f in February but has struggled in Class 5 handicaps the last two, including when ninth of 11 at Yarmouth (Firm) in June with Shahaama in third. Has a six month absence to overcome but down in grade today. Others look to have better claims.

2 Frap – Previously with Richard Fahey and only just go up to claim a Class 5 handicap at Carlisle (Good) in May over an extended 7f. Has largely struggled up to Class 3 level since and having his first run for the yard today. On his last winning mark and drop in trip might help given how he failed to see out his race last time. Has run toi a consistent level without winning on the surface earlier this year without winning and best watched unless the money comes for him.

3 Powered – Didn’t run too badly up to Class 5 level when trained by Jo Hughes last term and has now joined David Evans after a poor spell in Ireland. Needs to improve markedly upon his fifteenth of 16 in a handicap at Limerick 72 days ago when well-beaten and on a workable mark to do so. Has run well on this surface before and place claims if recapturing last years efforts for in-form yard.

4 Indiana Dawn – Only four runs so far up to 6f and showed promise on second run at Windsor in October when fifth of 16 in a competitive maiden stakes. Only seventh behind Great Expectations (fourth) at Lingfield two weeks ago and needs the step up in trip to help here to reverse the tables with that one. Can be ruled out today.

5 Pearly Queen – Dutch Art filly who is still a maiden after six runs. Hasn’t really landed a blow in her last three starts in handicaps and unlikely to figure here with yard a bit quiet.

6 Imperial Link – Landed back-to-back wins in Class 5 and 6 handicaps at 1m this year on turf and has struggled at that level since. Only ninth of 10 last time out at Wolverhampton and needs a career best here and form on this surface is off-putting for win purposes today.

7 Humour – Two time course winner and just got up to win here in a Class 6 handicap two months ago. Hasn’t run too badly over this trip before and only 1lb higher here for that October win. Looks held on all recent form.

8 Shahaama – Only one win on turf when trained by Mick Channon. AW form hardly inspiring. Only ninth of 12 at Wolverhampton on first start for Jane Chapple-Hyam and needs to prove herself now upped in trip. Jockey booking a plus.

9 Kenstone – Previously with David Dennis and made the switch to this yard a winning one when scoring on his first run, staying on stoutly to fend off Sakhee’s Rose over this trip at Wolverhampton 23 days ago. No reason to think he won’t go well again off this mark and solid place claims.

10 Great Expectations – Hasn’t won since last year but has bagged a couple of races up to Class 4 level on turf. Has won over 7f on the AW in early parts of career and has been running well without winning recently. Should continue to give a good account for himself judged on his close fourth of 11 at Wolverhampton two weeks ago when ahead of Indian Dawn (seventh). Dangerous to rule out off a mark of 55 and looks a big player in this.

11 Nasri – Struggled up to Class 4 level over this trip since a good second in a Class 5 in February. Recent eighth of 13 at Kempton nineteen days ago tempers enthusiasm and he is likely to be vulnerable to younger legs in this.

12 Zabdi – Previously with Richard Hannon and still a maiden after thirteen runs and only sixth of 10 on sole start at this track. Eleventh of 13 last time out at Kempton two months ago and likely to need the run. Others look stronger.

13 Pleadings – Only three runs so far (all at this track) and hasn’t shown much in either to suggest he can win in this. Has a good mark now handicapping and needs cheekpieces to have a positive effect.