Chelmsford hosts a seven-race all-weather card on Thursday night, and with some competitive action, Joe Napier has picked out his selections in every race at the meeting.
Prior to following his bets, you can sign up with Lottoland, with whom you can get a £5 Free Bet back if your first bet loses upon signing up.
5:30 Chelmsford – Fairwood Brasserie “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap
He may be the old boy in the field, but THE DEFIANT’s declining mark has been primarily due to fading form on turf as opposed an overall trend. On the all-weather, he has kept his profile to a higher level, including when finishing fast for third at Lingfield at the start of his month.
It is more than probable that he will build on that first start for 106 days here off 1lb lower and he gets a fair bit of weight from the top two in the handicap, Moulin Booj and Night On Earth, who are the biggest threats.
#AD 18+. New customers only. Deposit £10+. Opt in, claim & bet £10+ on Any ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections) (min odds 3/1 (4.00)). Get a £10 Acca or Bet Builder (2+ selections) . Offer ongoing but must be completed within 7 days of claim. Free Bet expires 7 days from claim. No cashout. Full T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
6:00 Chelmsford – chelmsfordcityracecourse.com Classified Stakes
Consistency in these sort of classified events can often be rewarded, so Rockley Point has to make the shortlist after regularly featuring in the places in such races. However, DESERT SWIRL may keep the 11-year-old out of the winners’ enclosure for now.
Alex French’s filly is the youngest horse in the field, but having never been remotely close to winning in her first seven racecourse appearances, she ran a fine race dropped back to 5f for the first time in her career at Newcastle the weekend before last. That was in handicap company off a mark of 49, belying huge odds of 125/1, and she may now have found her optimum distance.
#AD 18+. New customers only. Deposit £10+. Opt in, claim & bet £10+ on Any ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections) (min odds 3/1 (4.00)). Get a £10 Acca or Bet Builder (2+ selections) . Offer ongoing but must be completed within 7 days of claim. Free Bet expires 7 days from claim. No cashout. Full T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
6:30 Chelmsford – CP Dynes Handicap
Given that he was tried over hurdles in December, there is every chance that SULLIVAN BAY can back up his win here in January with another stepped up to 2m. He had been comfortably beaten in three starts in maiden and novice company on the flat, but on his third start for new trainer Gary Brown, he got off the mark over 1m5½f at Chelmsford last time out.
He travelled through that race very kindly at the back of the field and ultimately won fairly decisively, so a 3lb rise may mean he is still ahead of the handicapper.
#AD 18+. New customers only. Deposit £10+. Opt in, claim & bet £10+ on Any ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections) (min odds 3/1 (4.00)). Get a £10 Acca or Bet Builder (2+ selections) . Offer ongoing but must be completed within 7 days of claim. Free Bet expires 7 days from claim. No cashout. Full T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
7:00 Chelmsford – Racing Welfare Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes
This is probably between Wild Saffron and SHALLOW, who were both runners-up on their last starts. The former has the advantage of race fitness and experience, having now had three starts, but the latter has greater potential despite a 155-day layoff.
Richard Spencer’s filly was beaten on debut by a rival who is now unbeaten in three starts. That she was beaten under two lengths suggests she has a fair amount of ability and this trip also looks more ideal for her than it does Wild Saffron.
#AD 18+. New customers only. Deposit £10+. Opt in, claim & bet £10+ on Any ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections) (min odds 3/1 (4.00)). Get a £10 Acca or Bet Builder (2+ selections) . Offer ongoing but must be completed within 7 days of claim. Free Bet expires 7 days from claim. No cashout. Full T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
7:30 Chelmsford – Celebrate Valentine’s At CCR Handicap
The seven-year-old BLACKJACK may be on a career high mark, but he is arguably in better form than ever, and with How Impressive likely to be a non-runner due to alternative engagements, he is the selection here.
His speed away from the gate can be a powerful asset, and while he has been beaten the last twice, he has a past runner-up finish over course and distance off just 2lb lower. With few of these boasting form as strong on a polytrack surface, he gets the vote.
#AD 18+. New customers only. Deposit £10+. Opt in, claim & bet £10+ on Any ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections) (min odds 3/1 (4.00)). Get a £10 Acca or Bet Builder (2+ selections) . Offer ongoing but must be completed within 7 days of claim. Free Bet expires 7 days from claim. No cashout. Full T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
8:00 Chelmsford – Family Funday 29th March Handicap
All three of those entering handicap company for the first time hold sway from a betting perspective. Both Sighter and Ruth Langmore can be expected to go close, but OCEAN BLISS just about holds sway having finished third over course and distance on her second start.
The daughter of El Kabeir is well-related, being a half-sister to Jessica Harrington’s Group 3 winner Ocean Quest, so while a mark of 57 accurately reflects the form she showed in maiden and novice company, she could yet rate a fair bit better.
#AD 18+. New customers only. Deposit £10+. Opt in, claim & bet £10+ on Any ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections) (min odds 3/1 (4.00)). Get a £10 Acca or Bet Builder (2+ selections) . Offer ongoing but must be completed within 7 days of claim. Free Bet expires 7 days from claim. No cashout. Full T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
8:30 Chelmsford – Ministry Of Sound Handicap
Andrew Balding’s horses are in superb form, with none finishing outside the top four in the last two in the past fortnight, including a 22/1 winner at Kempton last week. As such, though PLATINUM JUBILEE has been in poor form of late, there is every chance she is capable of a big run here.
Her only significant effort in seven career starts was a runner-up effort on Kempton’s polytrack surface in December. She got a terrible run of the race that day too, but still stayed on over that 1m trip, so the step up to 1m2f for the first time here could well play to her strengths. Her mark is now 4lb lower than that Kempton effort, and she could well take advantage if improving as expected for the distance.
#AD 18+. New customers only. Deposit £10+. Opt in, claim & bet £10+ on Any ACCA or Bet Builder (2+ selections) (min odds 3/1 (4.00)). Get a £10 Acca or Bet Builder (2+ selections) . Offer ongoing but must be completed within 7 days of claim. Free Bet expires 7 days from claim. No cashout. Full T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Chelmsford Through-The-Card Selections
The Defiant
ShallowJoe Napier’s Selections at Chelmsford on Thursday, 15th February
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.