8.50pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 08/08/2017

A field of 13 go to post as the action draws to a close from Chelmsford on Tuesday night, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: ASHWAQ looks to have a good opportunity to put it all together and land this race. She has been contesting tougher contests than this and given the 3lb allowance gifted by talented apprentice Hollie Doyle she can take full advantage of the drop in trip/grade. Billyoakes looks to be a live threat with cards falling in his favour too and Joshua Bryan in the plate, but we expect the filly to have too much in the locker today.

1 BILLYOAKES – He is now two pounds lower than when winning over course and distance back in December, running a good race at Lingfield when last seen over the five furlongs. He is clearly better at this six furlong trip and Joshua Bryan takes off five pounds, which substantially reduces the load he has to carry. He is a main contender despite carrying top weight and has to be respected.

2 ENTERTAINING BEN – Made a promising stable debut for Amy Murphy when second at Ripon, but he’s failed to build on that in three subsequent starts. He was last seen at Lingfield where he was beaten by nearly ten lengths and a step up to the six furlong trip is far from guaranteed to suit. Finley Marsh takes off seven pounds which is an obvious plus, but others are readily preferred.

3 ASHWAQ – Showed promise in three maidens for Richard Hannon, struggling in handicaps since for Qatar Racing. That said, she has been racing in a higher class and she drops back to Class 6 company for the first time. She weakened quickly at Chepstow when last seen over the seven, but she showed good early speed and a drop back in trip should suit. Hollie Doyle takes off three pounds and she isn’t one to rule out.

4 SINGING SANDS – Produced some good runs over the mile trip back in May, but he’s struggled since for Seamus Durack, last seen at Bath where he was last over the 1m 2f trip, eased after showing little. He now drops back significantly in trip which is an interesting move, but does little to tempt with how poorly he’s been running at present. Shane Kelly takes the ride but others make far more appeal.

5 RUN WITH PRIDE –  (NON RUNNER). Seven year old who hasn’t won since May 2014, but he’s shown ability throughout his career and his first run in Class 6 company is likely to seem him take an overdue second career success. His penultimate sixth over course and distance was a good run and would see him winning a race like this down in class with Lewis Edmunds taking off a useful three pounds.

6 NOBLE ACT – Finished a close fourth over the seven furlong trip here in March, but he’s gone off the boil since for Phil McEntee and has a huge amount to prove at present. He was never travelling well when brushed off over the seven here two weeks ago and he’s hard to recommend with any confidence off only three pounds lower.

7 HIGGY’S HEARTBEAT – Showed some promise in maidens for Dean Ivory, last seen at Yarmouth where he finished a well beaten third, staying on far too late. He is clearly bred for this trip and is pedigree isn’t half bad, so surely he is capable of better at some stage. A mark of 58 on handicap debut doesn’t seem him very well treated, but market support would be interesting and he’s one to consider for a yard in great form.

8 SEE YOU MUSH – Won over course and distance on his stable debut for Ilka Gansera-Leveque and he has run well in defeat the last twice, finishing midfield at both Chelmsford and Wolverhampton. He is still lightly raced and is only two pounds above his last winning mark, so he couldn’t be discounted with any confidence under Adam Beschizza. Likely to be on the premises and is another to consider.

9 WILD POWER – A return to sprinting the last twice has caused a return to form for this five year old mare, finishing second at Brighton before a game victory from the front at the same venue last month. As a result she has been raised three pounds, but she seemed to have something up her sleeve that day and looks a contender under Kieran O’Neill. Not one to take lightly and has to be respected.

10 CLASSIC FLYER – Has struggled in the main for his new yard, well beaten more often than not and his latest tailed off eighth at Lingfield on the turf was a reflection is his overall form. That run was only three days ago and it’s hard to see him suddenly finding his form after such a lacklustre effort on Saturday. Stevie Donohoe takes the ride but he’s an easy one to dismiss.

11 FIRESNAKE – Only win from twenty-five starts came over course and distance back in November and he’s now on an eleven pound lower mark. He ran his best race for a long while when fourth at Catterick two weeks ago, but even then he was no better than midfield throughout and more is required here. Possible each way claims under Callum Rodriguez who takes off five pounds but it is easy to look elsewhere.

12 HUMOUR – Dual course and distance winner for Christine Dunnett who has been well out of sorts of late, well beaten on his last three starts at various trips. He showed very little when returned to this venue over the seven furlong trip when last seen and although a mark of 44 is a career low, it does little to tempt as this is a competitive race for the grade. Kieran Fox is in good form, but he’s likely best watched.

13 BIG CITY BOY – Course and distance winner back in August 2015 and he’s been scarcely seen since then. He returned from a long absence when tailed off at Yarmouth twelve days ago, weakening tamely after running well for a reasonable way. Josie Gordon takes over the ride which is a positive, but he has a huge amount to prove on balance and is far too risky to back today.