7.30pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 09/02/2017

A tricky race as ever for a six furlong handicap at Chelmsford, see our betting tips and the full race preview below as we piece together this trappy contest.

IN SUMMARY: It’s a tricky race to piece together but ZAC BROWN has been given the plum draw in stall 1 and is likely to take advantage. He made all at Wolverhampton two starts ago and despite a three pound rise, he shrugged it off to finish third, keeping on well. He has the assistance of Lewis Edmunds today who takes off a useful 5lb and he has all the tools to go in again today for Charlie Wallis, especially as he’s won off higher marks in the past. It won’t be an easy task and Eljaddaaf is likely to run another good race, but the 12lb may well find him out today.

1 GENTLEMEN – Four time winner over C&D, with his latest win coming way back in June 2016 off a 2lb lower mark than today’s. He put up an admirable display to finish second at Kempton behind Pretend in January (6f, Std to Slw), though was well held at Lingfield a few weeks ago (6f, Std). Still seems high in the weights from a handicap standpoint but very hard to discount on the back of his course and distance form. Each way player but remains vulnerable for win purposes.

2 OUTRAGE – Was in brilliant form towards the end of the 2016, winning twice in December at both Newcastle (5f, Std) and Kempton (5f, Std). Raised 6lb but that didn’t deter him when finishing a close third at Newcastle over six furlongs when last seen and has been raised another 2lb as a consequence. Career high mark he now as to overcome but if the break has freshened him up he still has room for improvement at the age of five, so has to be considered a big danger for Daniel Kubler and the in form George Baker.

3 SHAMSHON – Course winner who made it five wins from eighteen when a narrow winner at Ascot when last seen in October (5f, Soft). Was since sold for 55,000gns and has joined Stuart Williams from Jamie Osbourne, and makes his debut for that yard today. Still relatively lightly raced for a six year old and remains with scope for progress, though a break of 131 days has to be a concern against some race fit rivals. A mark of 93 is certainly one he can do some damage off of, and if raring to go can’t be taken lightly, therefore the market needs to be watched carefully for support.

4 BOSHAM – Won this race last year off 4lb lower mark than today’s, but has remained in form since. Not disgraced to finish sixth at Lignfield on his latest start in January (6f, Std), he slipped another 2lb down the ladder which is likely to help today. He’s won off higher marks in the past and conditions are to suit, so looks to be lined up for another big run here. At the age of seven he is completely exposed however and his form can be erratic at time, so does rate as a bit of a risky proposition though.

5 KING ROBERT – Lightly raced as a sprinter, winning his first two starts at Carlisle and Chester back in the summer of 2015. Has only run six times since which is a bit of a concern, though he showed promise at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start when a close fourth (6f, Std). A mark of 91 is surely one he can exploit at some stage for Bryan Smart, but he is drawn out in stall 9 today and others do bring better form into the race. Place claims at best with Paul Mulrennan taking the ride for the first time.

6 BOOMERANG BOB – C&D winner off a 3lb lower mark in October and has remained in good form since, finishing second on his penultimate start at Wolverhampton in December (6f, Std). You could perhaps say the handicapper has been quite generous to Jamie Osbourne’s eight year old whose on a mark he’s won off previously, only raised a pound for his close fourth at Lingfield in January when last seen (6f, Std). Beaten favourite the last twice but on a mark he can take advantage of with Adam Kirby in the saddle and needs plenty of respect.

7 ELJADDAAF – Five wins at the six furlong trip and clearly thrives at this distance, and won his latest start at Kempton in January, easily dispatching his rivals in style (6f, Std to Slw). As a consequence though he’s been raised 12lb which makes things considerably tougher and is now on a career high mark by some margin. If remaining in good form he would certainly have place claims but against runners who are much better handicapped, he may well be vulnerable for win purposes today despite his record at this trip.

8 ZAC BROWN – Made all gamely to win at Wolverhampton in January (5f, Std) and a 3lb rise wasn’t enough to stop him posting another good effort at Lingfield when a close third (6f, Std). Gets stall 1 which means he can easily get the lead if breaking well enough and Lewis Edmunds takes off a handy 5lb which makes him even more interesting. He’s won off a 2lb higher mark in the past and has to be respected for Charlie Wallis, as if given a soft lead he’ll be a very tough nut to crack.

9 QUATRIEME AMI – Lightly raced four year old who last won in December 2015 at Wolverhampton (6f, Std), and hasn’t placed in six runs since. His latest start at Lingfield in January wasn’t necessarily a bad run, though he was four lengths behind Boomerang Bob and will need more today if he’s to be threatening. Now 4lb below his last winning mark so is well handicapped but others do have stronger claims on current form. In form David Probert takes the ride but others are preferred for win purposes today.

10 GUISHAN – C&D winner back in January 2015 and hasn’t been in bad form in recent times, though she’s not been the most consistent. His latest fourth at Southwell over the five furlongs was a good effort, running on well towards the finish (5f, Std). She’s now interesting returned to the six furlong trip which she should prefer and is now only 3lb above her last winning mark. Shouldn’t be discounted and has definite place claims today.