7.45pm Chelmsford tips for Thursday’s Class 6 race. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.
IN SUMMARY: Lady Volante is sadly now a non-runner today and the horse that can take advantage is KOHINOOR DIAMOND who is popular in the market on handicap debut for Sir Mark Prescott. Gold Merlion looks like the biggest danger, whilst King Kevin is well bred and may do better fitted with blinkers having stepped up a little on his previous form when a visor was tried.
1 GOLD MERLION – A winner at this trip at Lingfield in July from two pounds lower. She has looked like a non-stayer at a mile and a half of late so this step back in trip should suit. She is one of the pace angles from a low draw on a track that suits front runners.
2 MALT TEASER – 11 race maiden, his career best came over this trip at Lingfield. That was the sole time that he has forced the pace which would be interesting here on a surface that clearly suits.
3 SIMPLY CLEVER – Regular front runner, she has finished runner-up four times in her last five races. She faces competition for the lead here so, despite course and distance suiting, she should find at least one too good once more, back from a break.
4 BROUGHTONS KNIGHT – Consistent performer without being able to get his head in front. A tongue strap is fitted for the first time here which is interesting given that his finishing effort isn’t always the strongest. The solid pace will suit so he has an each way chance.
6 STRUCK BY THE MOON – Steadily progressive in maidens, she was disappointing when last on her handicap debut. She was outpaced at this track in maidens, but failed to stay 12 furlongs last time; easy enough just to watch for now.
7 OUTLAW TORN – Another who is regularly up with the early fractions, he pops up from time to time still. Polytrack has never looked to suit as well as Tapeta and, with a couple to take him on early with a wide draw to boot, he’s best watched.
8 BICOLOUR – Showed a glimmer of promise for Mark Johnston and cheekpieces and a tongue strap are fitted for the first time on her debut for Archie Watson. The trip suits, with the aids interesting, yet she is horribly inconsistent.
9 CHAMPAGNE RULES – Yet to convince that an artificial surface suits as well as grass. This is his trip, winning at Nottingham in July, however the lack of form to that level on the sand means that he is opposed here.
10 KOHINOOR DIAMOND – Three runs over six furlongs for a mark, she steps up to a mile and a quarter for her handicap debut in typical Sir Mark Prescott fashion. She has been missing for almost a year, but she has experience here and looks like a big threat.
11 RAASHDY – A winner at Wolverhampton last December, the best of his form so far has come on the Tapeta. Has dropped like a stone in the handicap this year, but he hasn’t shown anything like enough to suggest that he can be winning this.
12 JAZRI – Very well treated on his best, his last win coming over this course and distance. High spots this season have been few and far between, but he always needs a second look, especially here.
13 RUBHEIRA – 18 race maiden is yet to get within five lengths of a winner. She has joined Neil Mulholland who regularly does well with others’ cast offs, but even he may have his work cut out coaxing a win out of her.
14 KING KEVIN – Comes from a smart family, but has not come close to living up to his pedigree thus far. First-time blinkers are fitted having shown a glimmer more the twice he sported a visor. Risky proposition, but not beyond the realms of possibility that he’s capable of better.
15 JUNGLE GEORGE – Shown precious little in five starts up to seven and a half furlongs, This new trip may suit with middle distance performers on the dam’s side of his pedigree, but he still can’t be supported with any confidence.
5 LADY VOLANTE – Disappointing when running at Newcastle last week, but she didn’t eat up on her return home so that’s easily excused. She wasn’t quick enough over the seven furlongs there, her pedigree suggesting that this step up will suit. The ability is there for her to go close.