5.10pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 08/02/2017

Eight runners now go to post for the ‘lucky last’, a characteristically tricky handicap at Chelmsford on Wednesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Whaleweigh Station ran well to win on his penultimate start at Kempton but has to reverse form with Nasri on their latest run here over six furlongs, so this may go to SIEGE OF BOSTON. A son of Starspangledbanner and evidently well thought of but failed to show a great deal for his former top yard in Ireland. However, his fifth on debut for John Butler was much improved and this four year old very much takes the eye as a big improver with the booking of Adam Kirby another obvious plus.

1 WHALEWEIGH STATION – Has won twice from his last three starts, posting arguably his best effort when winning at Kempton over 6f in January. Certainly not disgraced in defeat when a close third here over 6f on Thursday, though he was a head behind Nasri on that occasion. Going up in trip looks likely to suit with how he was running on on his latest start and he definitely stays this far as his Kempton win in January shows. Needs more off a mark of 62 but is respected as a main danger.

2 SIEGE OF BOSTON – Had shown little promise in 2016 in Ireland with Gordon Elliot but his latest fifth at Wolverhampton in January was much more encouraging(7f, Std). First run for John Butler today with Adam Kirby an eyecatching jockey booking he’s well treated with a mark of just 60. Set to go well and strong market support could be significant.

3 HIPZ – Running respectably since a good win over C&D in October, with her latest fifth at Lingfield a good effort despite losing three places close home (7f, Std). Still 8lb above her last winning mark which is a concern but George Baker takes the ride for the first time since that C&D win which makes her interesting. Likely to need more for win purposes but has definite place claims for Laura Mongon if she returns back to form.

4 HIDDEN GEM – Very inconsistent filly for Stuart Williams who was tailed off on her latest start at Lingfield in December (1m, Std), a stark contrast from the close second she posted at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start (7f, Std). Still a maiden after thirteen attempts and hard to get excited about her chances, though she’s now back into handicaps and visored. Still hard to make a case for and likely best watched.

5 WINK OLIVER – Running well of late with some good efforts, including his latest second at Lingfield when running on strongly to be denied by a nose (7f, Std). Losing run does stretch back to November 2015 however and though he’s 11lb below that mark, he is very hard to catch right, even for the placings these days. Would be no surprise if he were to run into a place late on but he remains vulnerable for win purposes and others seem much more likely.

6 TAVENER – The usual cheekpieces return after a dismal effort at Southwell in January (7f, Std), though it wasn’t much better than his penultimate run at Southwell again in January (6f, Std). No wins from thirteen runs on the all weather which has to be of concern, with his late win overall coming back in June 2015. Others are much more likely and can be given place claims only at his best.

7 NASRI – Eleven year old who went desperately close to breaking a losing run dating back to January 2016 when a short head second at Chelmsford on Thursday, narrowly denied after charging home late (6f, Std). Going back up to seven furlongs wont be an issue as he does stay and he gets the luxury of stall 2. Stevie Donohoe takes the ride for Emma Owen and likely to go close again off the same mark, and has to be respected.

8 FRANK COOL (non runner) – Showed improvement on handicap debut when fourth at Lingfield in January (7f, Std), staying on well for Tony Carroll. Only had five runs under rules and open to further progress with William Carson taking the ride off a mark of 54. Worth watching in the market but does have live place claims if improving upon that handicap debut which did show he has some potential for low grade handicaps.

9 ALL OR NOTHIN – Ran well to finish second at Kempton on his penultimate start in January (7f, Std to Slw) and off the same mark he was a possibly flattered winner of a C&D handicap a week later. Goes back up in class which makes this much tougher, as he’s yet to win in Class 6 company on the all weather, with a record of one win from eleven overall on the synthetics. Others have much stronger cases and may find this a bridge too far raised 2lb for Paddy Butler.

10 DIAMOND INDULGENCE (non runner) – Lightly raced four year old who hasn’t been disgraced the last twice, finishing fourth at both Newcastle (6f, Std) and Kempton (6f, Std) in January. Beaten six lengths at Kempton but she was denied a clear run at a crucial stage and ran on well towards the finish which was encouraging. With a stronger gallop she’s likely to be very competitive with that run suggesting a step up to seven furlongs will suit, and has a big pull with Whaleweigh Station from that run. Likely to run a big race with Patrick O’Donnell claiming 5lb and has to be respected.