19:10 Chelmsford City

Thursday 31 May 2018

All18:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:4021:10

Extra Places At totesport.com Handicap

Off time: 19:11 | Winning time: 1m 36.08s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(5)

Air Raid³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 95

7/1

Has looked smart winning two from three in novice company including a very smart all-the-way win on soft ground which was a significant step forwards. Handicap debut and steps up in trip but should stay and track could suit his style.

Form: 14-1

(7)

Nobleman's Nest²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 92

6/1

Was raised 11lb for winning at Doncaster last year and has struggled in three starts since. Down another 2lb but still likely to be held by handicapper in this strong company.

Form: 1017-75

(3)

Being There²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 91

10/1

Not digraced at Listed level on just third start last year but everything went wrong at the start at Chester and had no chance afterwards on reappearance. Could still be open to improvement at this extra distance.

Form: 216-0

(8)

Moqarrar⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 90

25/1

Represents last year's winning trainer but disappointed on a slow surface on reappearance. Likely to improve now returned to the AW but does need to do so.

Form: 321-9

(6)

Vale Of Kent⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89| BF| C

5/2

Tries this trip for the first time but was keeping on well enough in a recent strong Goodwood handicap. That was a great effort and he'll be suited by a return to this track. Looks a leading player.

Form: 411273

(4)

Lawn Ranger³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: M J Attwater| OR: 89| D

25/1

Was progressing nicely on AW before being well beaten on handicap and turf debut. Should be better back on this surface but others look better handicapped.

Form: 1-2237

(9)

Luna Eclipse³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 87| CD

9/2

Took advantage of a lenient opening mark to make it three in a row in handicaps including last twice over this C&D. Front runner who is up another 5lb which may not be a problem as he's still improving but this is tougher

Form: 37-3111

(1)

Tadleel²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Dane O'Neill| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 87| D

16/1

Disappointed when upped in class on his last two runs including his reappearance and best watched in another competitive contest.

Form: 12217-0

(2)

Codicil²⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 84| D

8/1

Unbeaten in four starts including in a valuable nursery over this trip on the AW. Showed a tremendous attitude as never won by further than a neck and could improve significantly again this year.

Form: 1111-

(10)

Voyager Blue¹⁰^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Hart| T: J A Osborne| OR: 77| D

8/1

Lightly raced and improving. Made all on turf recently and 6lb penalty shouldn't be a problem, however there's lots of pace on and he may struggle to get across from a poor draw.

Form: 32-91

Forecasts

Vale Of Kent (5/2), Luna Eclipse (9/2), Nobleman's Nest (6/1), Air Raid (7/1), Voyager Blue (8/1), Codicil (8/1), Being There (10/1), Tadleel (16/1), Moqarrar (25/1), Lawn Ranger (25/1)

A very competitive handicap featuring some progressive types and there's likely to be a real battle for the lead. Vale Of Kent is up in distance following a superb placed effort on the turf and he should be suited by the step up to a mile. Luna Eclipse is improving rapidly and doesn't have to lead so may not be inconvenienced by the wide draw. It's hard for the handicapper to get to grips with CODICIL after four narrow wins last year and this likeable filly looked as though she'd progress with another winter under her and is handily drawn to take good position. Air Raid has looked potentially very smart and can't be dismissed off top-weight.