7.30pm Chelmsford Tips & Betting Preview 16/02/2017

A field of twelve go to post for the fourth race of the day at Chelsmford, a seven furlong handicap. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Gold Flash and Curzon Line are both in form and should be in the shake up but this is likely to go to EVENING ATTIRE. Just got nabbed late on from a wide berth last time out, beat a length and he must have every chance coming from a more favourable position tonight.

1 OUTER SPACE – Draw a possible excuse for his poor twelfth at Kempton in January (7f, Std)  and gets stall four today which is likely to be a big help. An out and out hold up horse, he’ll need all the splits off a decent pace to feature but if getting those he’d be dangerous for Jamie Osbourne and George Baker, now back onto his last winning mark on the all weather. Needs considering and has to be respected as such.

2 HONIARA – Tongue tie comes off after finishing fifth at Kempton two weeks ago (1m Std) and drops back in trip with the blinkers on in a bid to revive. He was keen on this latest start which didn’t help his cause and he has the services of Luke Morris for today’s race, which is likely to be a huge help. Seven furlongs is likely to be much better for him today and if settling better now back in professional handling he should take all the beating for Paul Cole and has to be respected.

3 PEARL SPECTRE – Back to back wins here over the seven and six furlong trips back in November and has been highly tried since, running well on his latest start at Kempton when fourth (7f, Std). Remains on a mark of 86 which is only a pound higher than his latest win but there has to be a suspicion that he has very little room for error off this mark. Callum Shepherd takes off 3lb and is a likely contender, but will need everything to drop right if he’s to win toady.

4 LOYALTY – Front runner who is drawn well to attack from the front in stall five, and was unlucky not to win on his latest start at Lingfield when collared very late on to finish a length fourth (1m, Std). Now on his last winning mark and will make this a relentless stamina test from the front now down in trip for Derek Shaw, and is a very interesting proposition for Derek Shaw. It’s very hard to make all in big fields such as this but he’ll give it a good go and has to be respected.

5 THAQAFFA – Races well when fresh and only twice raced on artificial surfaces, finishing second on both occasions. The latest of those came at Kempton when only beaten around a length when still with Marcus Tregoning and has since transferred to Amy Murphy who he makes his stable debut for today. Has been given a wide draw which doesn’t help matters and possibly best watched today with others having much more convincing claims, as he was well beaten the last twice.

6 UNTIL MIDNIGHT – Running very well on the all weather last winter including a win over C&D in December 2015 off a mark of 73, and finishing off the campaign with a mark of 80. He has since however struggled badly on the turf for the most part and returns to the all weather off this 21lb higher mark. Almost impossible to fancy on this basis and likely best watched on seasonal reappearance.

7 PLUCKY DIP – Had been running quite well this winter before hitting a stumbling block the last twice, well beaten at both Wolverhampton (6f, Std) and Kempton (7f, Std) in January. Those were however under inexperienced handling and Adam Kirby takes over today which will help, with him only being 2lb above his last winning mark. Likely to give it a good go and has to be respected for John Ryan.

8 EVENING ATTIRE – In form at present and despite a wide draw he finished a gallant fourth after leading everywhere bar the last fifty yards off this revised mark (7f, Std). Gets stall seven for today’s assignment which will allow him to lead if breaking well enough and has the assistance of useful 5lb claimer Hollie Doyle to do the steering, who has won on him in the past. Only 3lb above his last winning mark and likely to make another bold bid and has to be respected.

9 GOLD FLASH – Two wins on the bounce at Wolverhampton will have certainly raised Keith Dalgleish’s five year old’s confidence but has been give a further 3lb rise as a result. Comes here in good form though which is more than can be said for a few of these and he also has a C&D second to his name too back in November which helps further his case. Will need more off a mark he’s struggled off in the past and has possible each way claims under Phillip Makin, but the handicapper may well have just caught up to him today.

10 CURZON LINE – In good form of late including a C&D win in November, but was possibly flattered by his second at Newcastle on his latest start when allowed to set a steady pace which he wont have the luxury of doing today with so many front runners in the line up. Looks to be in the handicappers grip off a mark of 74 and will need more today if he’s to feature, and stall nine isn’t a help. Harrison Shaw takes off 7lb, but his is only his second ride and he may well just be fighting for places only today.

11 WELLIESINTHEWATER – Had been in poor form when last seen towards the back end of last year, capping off the year with a poor ninth of twelve at Southwell in December (7f, Std). Returns after a short break now 2lb below his last winning mark but he will need to return in much better form if he’s to be troubling the market principles today. Derek Shaw’s yard is in good form at present though and Martin Lane has been riding his fair share of wins, so if the break has rejuvenated him, he wouldn’t be amiss in the placings.

12 FLYING FANTASY – Returned from a six motnh break with two poor efforts over both C&D and at Lingfield (7f, Std), so has a lot to prove at present. Stall ten isn’t exactly a gift for today’s run and despite being under his last winning mark and Aaron Jones taking off 3lb, its hard to envisage him being the winner today with how competitive this contest is and he’s likely best watched again.