chelmsfordcityracecourse.com Handicap

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 2m 5.62s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Duckett's Grove³¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex| T: E Walker| OR: 97| CD

7/1

Progressive 3-y-o in first spell for this yard, easy winner of a 10f handicap at Ascot in July 2019. Struggled to make an impact in Hong Kong early last year but he may yet get back on the up.

Form: 51/0000-

(5)

United Front⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Josephine Gordon| T: M Appleby| OR: 94

15/8

Latest win at Newcastle (1m) in February. Respectable third of 9 in handicap (9/1) at Kempton (11f) 6 days ago, no match for a pair of less exposed sorts but keeping on. Should continue in form.

Form: 2-22123

(4)

Zabeel Champion²²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93| BF| D

7/4

Progressive handicapper, winning twice at Newmarket (10f) prior to a career-best second at Goodwood (9.9f). Extended 11f possibly taxed stamina final start and no surprise to see a good showing.

Form: 2/01126-

(3)

Habit Rouge¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽⁵⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 90| CD

4/1

Two wins from 4 runs last year. 2/1, career best when winning 4-runner handicap at this C&D 15 days ago by neck from United Front, having run of race. Possibilities once more.

Form: 4118-51

(1)

Kendergarten Kop⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: Joey Haynes| T: D Flood| OR: 75| D

20/1

Four wins from 13 runs last year. Latest win at Lingfield in December. Seventh of 9 in handicap at Kempton (11f, 33/1) 6 days ago. Operating from out of weights and others make more appeal.

Form: 1-33587

Forecasts

Zabeel Champion (7/4), United Front (15/8), Habit Rouge (4/1), Duckett's Grove (7/1), Kendergarten Kop (20/1)

A competitive small-field affair with the vote in favour of ZABEEL CHAMPION. He was progressive in handicaps at around this trip on turf last summer and possibly found the extended 11f trip at York taxing his stamina on his final start. He may well have more to offer this term and can come out on top, with last month's C&D 1-2 Habit Rouge and United Front also expected to feature.