6.40pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 07/09/2017

A field of nine go to post for the third race of the evening at Chelmsford on Thursday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: This is a weak looking race even for the grade and it looks a golden opportunity for BREAK THE SILENCE to break his maiden tag at the 11th attempt. He ran his best race for some time when third at Southwell over the seven furlongs ten days ago, with this step up in trip almost certain to bring out further progress. He’s placed at this trip off higher marks in the past and, with opposition few and far between, he can take a first career victory at the expense of La Isla Bonita. She was a good third on her latest start when meeting trouble at Wolverhampton, so she should be firmly in the mix.

1 SOVRANO DOLCE – Still a maiden after five runs, extremely inconsistent and, if anything, going backwards for Mike Murphy. She was last seen at Kempton finishing fifth of six, easily left behind when the rest went for home at the top of the straight. It’s impossible to make a case for her and others are readily preferred on this occasion.

2 FANTASY GLADIATOR – Eleven-year-old veteran for Mick Appleby who hasn’t won since September 2015 and he’s had plenty of chances since then. He’s now 16 pounds below his last winning mark, but he showed very little on his latest start at Yarmouth off of two pounds higher, weakening tamely towards the final few furlongs. Hard to rule him out entirely, but he looks vulnerable for win purposes.

3 LA ISLA BONITA – Won her penultimate start at Wolverhampton in good style, making all under hands and heels and she met trouble on her latest start over the same course and distance. She has been strong at the finish since handicapping and she looks ready for this step up in trip to the mile. She still remains unexposed and, off the same mark as her latest run, she looks sure to play a leading role.

4 LAIZAH – Finished second at Brighton in June 2016 off a three pound higher mark, but that was a long time ago now and her return from a year off at that same venue didn’t scream any promise. She was struggling from a very early stage and, with the handicapper not budging, she is best watched once again, despite the brilliant form of the Marcus Tregoning yard of late.

5 SIR JAMIE – Got up in the shadows of the post at Wolverhampton back in April, but that run came in a Class 7 handicap and he’s struggled in three runs since on the turf. He is still six pounds above his last winning mark and more is needed against some rivals who have much better form on offer.

6 ETERNAL DREAM – Ran his best race on his second maiden start at Leicester for William Knight, finishing fourth but he’s been subsequently well beaten in three runs. Two of those have been in handicaps, easily beaten at Kempton on his latest start when folding tamely towards the final furlong. He’s five pounds lower so the handicapper has given him a good chance, but he is risky at present and others are preferred.

7 HIDDEN STASH – Three-year-old who is beginning to look exposed, making his final start for the Andrew Balding yard when fifth at Brighton in July, not beaten all that far. He makes his debut today for the William Stone yard and he does need to improve if he’s to feature here, with the visor now taken off. The mile distance isn’t guaranteed to suit and there are too many questions to answer today.

8 BREAK THE SILENCE – Still a maiden after ten starts, but he did produce his best effort for some time when third at Southwell on his latest appearance, keeping on well only to go down by a length. This step up in trip should suit based on his previous efforts and he remains on the same mark here, so he has definite possibilities in a weak looking race. The in-form Joe Fanning takes the ride and he looks tough to stop.

9 GOLDEN HARBOUR – Very modest maiden for Alex Hales who has shown very little encouragement in five runs, struggling to beat a rival on each of those runs. He was last seen at this venue over the seven furlong trip, finishing last of 12 and offering no hope for the future. Easily dismissed.