18:15 Chelmsford City

Thursday 31 March 2022

All15:3016:0516:4017:1017:1317:4518:1518:4519:15

Woodford Reserve Handicap

Off time: 18:18 | Winning time: 1m 38.78s

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Selected odds by:

(8)

Almaan^p1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: S Donohoe| T: H Spiller| OR: 76| CD

6/1

Landed back-to-back C&D handicaps in January but turned in a rather underwhelming effort when eighth of 11 at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 3 weeks ago. Return to this venue/drop in class a plus at least. Cheekpieces on.

Form: 348-118

(4)

Poetic Force²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Mollie Phillips⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 76| D

33/1

Narrow winner of 4-runner Lingfield claimer (7f) in February but not in same form when fifth of 6 back in handicap company at that venue (1m) 3 weeks ago. Eased 2 lb since if he can step up again.

Form: 5854-15

(7)

Baby Steps²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: D Loughnane| OR: 75

12/1

Losing run is mounting up and went wrong way from respectable return at Wolverhampton (7f) when eighth of 11 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f) 4 weeks ago. Still, his mark has eased further at least.

Form: 4374-38

(2)

Elmejor⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: K Jewell| OR: 74| C

4/1

Added third course success to his tally over 10f in January and not disgraced either start since, fourth of 9 in handicap back here (10f) 6 weeks ago. Good showing not ruled out re-united with David Probert.

Form: 013-154

(5)

Rhubarb Bikini^v²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: K T O'Neill| T: M J Attwater| OR: 74| CD

16/1

Ungenuine type who is struggling for form at present, again failing to beat a rival when last of 6 at Lingfield (1m) 3 weeks ago. Others make more appeal.

Form: 816-676

(9)

Always Fearless⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 73| C| D

12/1

Course winner who ended losing run from career-low mark at Lingfield (1m) in January. Respectable in-the-frame efforts have followed, fourth of 7 in a C&D event 7 weeks ago.

Form: 260-124

(3)

Stopnsearch¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: J Mitchell| T: B R Johnson| OR: 72| D

7/2

In good form on AW since the turn of the year and ran right up to best only to lose race in stewards' room at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 2 weeks ago having caused interference. Expected to be firmly in the mix again.

Form: 48-432D

(6)

Blue Flame³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Marco Ghiani| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 69| BF

10/3

Low-mileage 5-y-o who opened his account at Newcastle (7f) in December and matched that level when runner-up at Kempton (7f) 5 weeks ago. No reason why he won't give another good account.

Form: 57/621-2

(1)

Mawkeb^p1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Appleby| OR: 68

13/2

Maiden who went close on first 2 starts upon joining this yard around the turn of the year. Not disgraced when fifth of 11 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 19 days ago and one to bear in mind from career-low mark back in trip with headgear now fitted.

Form: 234545

Forecasts

Blue Flame (10/3), Stopnsearch (7/2), Elmejor (4/1), Almaan (6/1), Mawkeb (13/2), Baby Steps (12/1), Always Fearless (12/1), Rhubarb Bikini (16/1), Poetic Force (33/1)

Competitive fare and it may pay to take a chance on MAWKEB. Having gone close on his first 2 starts upon joining Mick Appleby, he was far from disgraced when fifth over further at Wolverhampton 3 weeks ago and could go well from a career-low mark/in first-time cheekpieces. Stopnsearch is enjoying a good spell, as is Blue Flame, and they head up the dangers.