7.15pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 12/10/2017

7.15pm Chelmsford tips for Thursday’s Class 3 race. Several smart horses go to post for this Conditions race at Chelmsford on Thursday. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: It’s very hard to get away from BOYNTON who was a very smart two-year-old, winning the Group 2 2016 Superlative Stakes on his second start before a narrow defeat in the 2016 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. He escapes a penalty for his Group 2 victory and will be very tough to beat, despite the absence, as he can use this as a launchpad to better things. The danger is Victory Bond, but he has seven pounds to find with the selection and can only be touted for second place.

1 MURAD KHAN – Useful horse at the mile distance for Hugo Palmer, winning a competitive Handicap at Windsor in July. The problem for him, however, is the penalty he has for this race and his stamina isn’t proven at this distance. Unlikely to be far away, but he does look vulnerable conceding so much weight all around.

2 RED VERDON – Not beaten far in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud last year for Ed Dunlop and running admirably again a strong conditions race at Doncaster last month. Cheekpieces are back on here after a poor effort at Newmarket and he’s a leading contender as he goes on the all weather.

3 VICTORY BOND – Finished fourth in a Group 2 at York in July and he had excuses on his latest start at Haydock, with heavy ground not suiting. Ryan Moore is up here and if he takes well to the all weather surface, he’s unlikely to be far away.

4 ICKYMASHO – Course and distance winner who wasn’t beaten far in a course and distance handicap two starts ago. This is a much tougher task though and, on these terms, she is likely to struggle against some simply much better horses.

5 BOYNTON – Hasn’t been seen for 443 days, but he was very smart as a two-year-old for Charlie Appleby. He won the Superlative Stakes on only his second start before a third in the Vintage at Glorious Goodwood. He escapes a penalty for his Group 2 win and is the one to beat.

6 ZUMURUDEE – Finished second in a course and distance handicap back in May, however he was brushed aside in a Listed race when last seen ten days later. A return to the all weather should suit, but he has plenty to find here and couldn’t be put forward.