6.20pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 12/10/2016

12 runners have been declared for an interesting 6f nursery on Thursday’s Chelmsford card. Read our full race preview for our experts’ betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: The Godolphin-owned filly Dubai One made all in good style in a Kempton maiden last month and almost certainly has more to offer in nurseries, but this competitive race can go to the top weight MAAKAASIB. Simon Crisford has an excellent record with 2yos and the form of his colt’s dominant C&D win in July looks very solid. Kreb’s Cycle is more exposed but he was drawn wide when a respectable fifth at Pontrfract recently and probably should have won over C&D when second on his only previous AW start. White Chin was hiked up the weights for his win in low-grade company at Wolverhampton in August but didn’t enjoy the run of the race when fourth over C&D last month and can be given another chance to prove himself at this level.

1 Maakaasib – Represents a trainer with an excellent 2yo strike-rate (25%) and delivered on initial promise when making all for clearcut success in C&D maiden in July; makes nursery debut after an 86-day break but needs to be taken very seriously.

2 Kreb’s Cycle – Beginning to look exposed after eight outings but gave decent account when fifth from a wide draw at Pontefract (6f, good to soft) recently and ran well over C&D on sole previous AW start; unlikely to be far away.

3 Sfumato – Displayed improvement when close second in first-time hood at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) in August and duly went one better at Lingfield (6f, good to firm) later that month; doesn’t look obviously well treated for nursery debut but is open to further progress if suited by today’s switch to Polytrack.

4 Zamjar – Went close in two 6f novice races in May/June and didn’t need to improve to open account in Epsom maiden (6f, good) in July; makes nursery debut after a break and probably needs to make some progress to hit the target again, but that’s possible.

5 Glorious Rocket – Produced a strong burst to lead just inside the final furlong and then held on well to win Kempton maiden (6f, AW) last month, his third start; that form has taken a couple of knocks but he’s in good hands and could easily have more to offer in nurseries.

6 Dubai One – Lost out only by a short-head when sent off a warm favourite for last month’s debut at Kempton (6f, AW) but gained compensation when making all in a similar event back there a fortnight ago; has a good pedigree and there’s a strong chance she can make progress.

7 Logi – Has shown more than enough to suggest his handicap mark is manageable but remains a maiden after five starts and finished down the field when upped to 7f and fitted with blinkers (now removed) for nursery debut at Goodwood in July; has questions to answer on first AW start.

8 Nile Empress – Improved upon low-key debut when winning Yarmouth maiden (5f, good to firm) in July but has finished only sixth in her first two nurseries; not written off just yet but needs to up her game now switched to Polytrack.

9 Halawain – Won a maiden at the third attempt, at Nottingham (6f, good to firm) in August, and may not have been suited by good to soft ground when down the field on last month’s nursery debut at Ayr; not out of this if he enjoys the switch to Polytrack but others have more pressing claims.

10 Bizet – Seemed to respond well to first-time blinkers and ran a game race from the front when close second in a C&D maiden last month, his fourth start; that piece of form brings him into the equation but he may find it tougher to dominate this deeper race.

11 White Chin – Swooped wide from off the pace to gain convincing success on nursery debut at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) in August; went up 10lb for that and had to settle for fourth when raised in class over over C&D last month but didn’t get the best of runs that day and remains of interest.

12 Melissa Jane – Picked up for just 1,500gns as a yearling but displayed some promise on her debut in May and improved to win a run-of-the-mill C&D maiden when back in action last month; faces much tougher opposition in this good-quality nursery, though.

myracing Forecast Prices: 15/8 Duabi One, 9/2 Maakaasib, 8/1 Sfumato, Zamjar, Glorious Rocket, White Chin, 12/1 Melissa Jane, 16/1 Kreb’s Cycle, 20/1 Halawain, Bizet, 25/1 Logi, Nile Empress