7.55pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 02/03/2017

A field of ten go to post for the sixth race of a bumper card at Chelmsford on Thursday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This race is packed full of well treated horses and is a tricky one to pick apart, but it can be solved by the four year old TIFL. Heather Main’s lightly raced recruit showed good progress in maidens including a good fourth at Lingfield over today’s trip and he ran much better than the results suggests on his latest start at Newcastle. Taking the lead at the two furlong pole, he weakened rapidly shortly after and clearly didn’t suit the 1m 2f trip. He still remains with potential with in form Oisin Murphy taking the ride and should have too much improvement in him for these back at this trip. Kenstone and Saleh look most likely to fill the places.

1 GATILLO – Ran a good race on handicap debut when still with Philip McBride (1m, Std) but he failed to back that up when well beaten at Southwell on New Year’s Day (1m, Std). First run for Julia Feilden and much more is required today if he’s to be winning off a mark of 70 today. Possible each way claims if back to form but he looks an unlikely winner of this, especially as he has been burdened with stall nine.

2 SALAH – Showed little in maidens but he has been an improver since going into handicaps, winning on his second handicap start at Lingfield in November (7f, Std). Despite a 3lb rise, he was a very unlucky second over the same C&D on his next start when headed on the post and off the same mark, he made it two wins from four in the handicaps when triumphing at Kempton in January (1m, Std). Up another 5lb but he was a comfortably victor on his latest start and much more can be expected in time. Adam Kirby retains the ride and he has to be respected as such.

3 POLAR FOREST – Now 16lb below his last winning mark, but that win came way back in August 2015 on the turf and he has been mainly poor this season for Richard Guest. He was last seen when never able to land a blow at Kempton in January (1m, Std) and he looks set for another supporting role. Possible place claims if back to his best but it’s hard to envisage him taking victory with his current vein of form.

4 KENSTONE – Has form figures of 1122 since joining the Adrian Wintle yard and his latest second at Chelmsford was another admirable effort, only going down by 3/4 of a length. Raised another 3lb as a result but he is clearly in brilliant form at present and if continuing to improve that mark is unlikely to be beyond him. In form apprentice Hollie Doyle takes off 5lb and she is very good value for her claim, which makes him all the more interesting. Stall three is a good draw and he looks set to go close again.

5 WORLD OF GOOD – Made all for a game success at Dundalk in January on her final Irish start and he remains on the same mark for today’s outing. This however is much tougher and she will need to build on that latest run if she’s to feature today, though she has the luxury of stall one which will be perfect for this front runner. Josephine Gordon takes the ride and she looks to solid each way claims if continuing to improve, but may just be vulnerable for win purposes in this field.

6 TEE IT UP – Burst back to form when winning comfortably at Kempton two weeks ago (1m, Std) under a hands and heels ride and he remains well treated on his past form, still 12lb below his highest winning mark. If matching that run again he is likely to go very close for the inform Daniel Steele yard with Stevie Donohoe retaining the ride, with stall seven not much of a concern as he’s likely to be reigned back early. Has to be respected and looks one of the likelier types.

7 MIME DANCE – Hasn’t been in any sort of form this year and his latest sixth at Wolverhampton was no improvement, well beaten in a seller (7f, Std). First run for John Butler today and he is now 17lb below his last winning mark, though that was on turf and he is yet to win on synthetic surfaces. Needs to raise his game and others do make far more appeal, though going back up to the mile does give him possible each way claims if judged upon his second at Pontefract in August (1m, Good to Firm).

8 GRACIOUS GEORGE – Won this race last year off a 2lb higher mark but he was in much better form that time around, and he arrives for today’s tilt on the back of a poor fifth at Kempton two weeks ago (1m, Std). He is however well treated on the best of his form evidently and cannot be ruled out on that basis, with Jimmy Fox having a winner in recent weeks. Others more likely for the win but he does have possibilities for the minor honours.

9 TIFL – Showed definite promise in maidens including a very promising fourth at Lingfield back in December and he wasn’t suited by going up in trip on handicap debut here, running a good race but emptying in the final two furlongs (1m 2f, Std). Heather Main’s four year old remains with potential and back at this trip he should be much more comfortable, with the in form Oisin Murphy taking the ride. He certainly has the most potential of these and can put that to good use to notch up his first victory.

10 WAHIBA – Showed promise on her first British start when third at Lingfield in December (1m, Std) but the step up in trip on handicap debut at Newcastle on her latest start backfired when well beaten (1m 3f, Std to Slw). She may well improve now back down to the mile for Marco Botti and she remains with potential as a very lightly raced four year old. Daniel Muscutt takes the ride and she does have place claims on the fact we still know little about her, but others are more likely for win purposes.