7.45pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 26/10/2017

7.45pm Chelmsford tips for Thursday’s Class 4 contest raced over 1m for three year-olds and older. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: This is an open handicap and the value could lay with MARKHAN. He’s a full 6lbs below his last winning mark and he’s fully entitled to improve from his first run following a gelding operation. The Irish raider can take the spoils ahead of Musical Terms who should make a bold bid for a double following a good handicap success over C&D last time out.

1 WAARIF – Won a Dundalk maiden over a mile last summer and wasn’t seen until earlier this month. He ran a fine race to finish second, beaten a length having drifted heavily in the betting and he should come on plenty for the run. A one pound higher mark gives him a chance in this.

2 MARKHAN – Looked to need the run following a gelding operation when last seen at Dundalk. He’s an interesting Irish raider off a mark of 80 leaving him 6lbs below his last winning mark and the first-time blinkers could spark a revival in form.

3 PROCURATOR – Stayed on well last time out at Brighton to win a 7f Class 5 handicap. This is much tougher today with a 6lb penalty and whilst the extra distance will help, he may just find a few too good in this stronger race. Hollie Doyle keeps the partnership intact.

4 PALMERSTON – Has been comfortably held of late albeit in stronger races than this. He’s 2lbs below his last winning mark which came at Beverley earlier in the season and he’s entitled to go well although this will be no easy task giving weight away to younger rivals.

5 CAINHOE STAR – Has improved dramatically this year, rising from a mark of 55 in May to today’s rating of 78. He won a Kempton handicap by 3 lengths last time out and a 7lb penalty looks more than fair following that cosy success. This is tougher though now back at a mile.

6 DEVIL’S BRIDGE – Sole success came in a maiden at Newcastle last August and he’s yet to win a handicap. A mark of 80 is becoming more realistic and that leaves him racing off his lowest handicap mark to date although he has a frustrating habit of finding a few too good.

7 DHALAM – Lightly-raced son of Lohro making his handicap debut today. He won a Wolverhampton maiden by the slimmest of margins back in May and it’s a small surprise that he’s been off the track since. The market should guide best today given support would be significant.

8 MUSICAL TERMS – Seeks his third success on the bounce today following a maiden and handicap success. A 3lb higher mark is fair following a decent win in a handicap over C&D last time out and he’s entitled to go close again today. Ryan Moore keeps the partnership intact.

9 HARBOUR ROCK – Won a four-runner maiden at Goodwood earlier in the summer and he’s failed to get his head in-front in a couple of small field handicaps since. His latest effort at Newmarket was disappointing and it’s no surprise to see him dropped in grade here. Opposed today from stall 13.

10 DUBAI’S SECRET – Still searching for his first win with this trainer having left Richard Hannon’s yard earlier in the year. A mark of 77 still looks relatively high for this grade and he will have a tough task overturning some of his 3yo rivals in this.

11 WHOSYOURHOUSEMATE – Won a Southwell maiden earlier in the year and he’s been denied in a few handicaps over the summer off this mark and one pound higher. He’s tried in first-time blinkers today which is a definite positive and the switch back to the All-Weather is a positive move. Stall 1 is handy.

12 MIDNIGHT MACCHIATO – Broke his maiden at the second attempt back in August 2015 but he’s not followed up since then and he remains high enough in the weights. He was beaten 5 lengths at Doncaster last time out off a 2lb higher mark and he’s likely to struggle again today.

13 MUHAJJAL – Posted some excellent efforts in strong maidens including a 4 1/2 length defeat to Barney Roy at Haydock last September. He was well-beaten on his sole start this summer and has since transferred ownership to George Peckham. He has ability but he’s not guaranteed to produce it today.

14 ELECTION DAY – Recorded a couple of successes in small field races at Newcastle last autumn but he’s struggled this season off marks in the low 80’s. He races off a fresh mark of 78 today but that still leaves him 2lbs above his last winning mark. Opposed.

15 TADAANY – Exposed 5yo who has recorded just two victories. They both came in weak affairs including a low grade Class 5 handicap and he’s up against it here giving weight away to younger rivals with stronger form. Best watched today for a yard without a winner from their last 19 runners.

16 WIGAN WARRIOR – Won a Class 5 handicap at Haydock earlier in the year off a mark of 71 and he’s produced mixed form since. He ran an almighty race over C&D two starts ago when 1 1/4 lengths behind Musical Terms having been sent off 66/1 and a reproduction of that effort would give him a strong chance here.