14:45 Chelmsford City

Thursday 25 August 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:25

Chelmsford City Cup Handicap

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 1m 23.63s

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Selected odds by:

(8)

Rhythm Master^v⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: P J McDonald| T: James Horton| OR: 102| D

10/3

Winless as a 3-y-o (often highly tried) but stepped up plenty on return/yard debut having been gelded when landing 9-runner Newcastle handicap (7f) in refitted visor in June. That form has substance and he's of firm interest from 2 lb higher.

Form: 7503-51

(5)

Ayr Harbour²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Ray Dawson| T: M Appleby| OR: 97| C| D

15/2

Winless since early-2021 but arrives here on the back of creditable placed efforts in 6f handicaps, latterly when second of 11 at Kempton 23 days ago, splitting a pair of progressive 4-y-os. Possibilities back up at 7f.

Form: 605532

(10)

Tiger Crusade³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 96| D

10/1

Won at Kempton (6f) on final start last year and best effort of present campaign when fourth of 11 in handicap at this course (6f, 20/1) 32 days ago, nearest finish. Fallen to a handy mark if he can build on that returned to 7f.

Form: 81-6064

(3)

Light And Dark^t⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: N Callan| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 94| D

14/1

6-y-o who doubled career tally from a 1 lb lower mark at Kempton (7f) in October 2020. Nearer last than first confined to just 3 starts since on turf in Meydan, latterly over 1m in February and he ran no sort of race returned to these shores over C&D in June.

Form: 21/0-007

(1)

Above^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S C Williams| OR: 94| C| D

9/1

Course winner. 9/2, respectable second of 5 in handicap at Newmarket (6f, good) 12 days ago, keeping on. Return to 7f will hold no fears back on AW.

Form: 220402

(2)

Red Mirage²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| BF| CD

10/3

C&D winner. Latest win at Chester in May. 4/1, good second of 13 in handicap at that venue (7.6f, soft) 25 days ago, headway 1f out and keeping on. Made a solid start for his present yard and likely to remain competitive.

Form: 07-1132

(6)

Final Watch⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: W Stone| OR: 88| D

18/1

Dual 7f winner on turf last season who ended the campaign with a good second in 18-runner Newbury handicap (7f, heavy) in October. Possible he needed last month's C&D return on back of 9 months off and he may be sharper now.

Form: 21292-6

(9)

Royal Parade²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 90

4/1

Son of Kodiac who confirmed promise of first 2 starts when readily landing cramped odds in 3-runner novice event at Yarmouth (6f) 3 weeks ago. In excellent hands and likely he can do better still now switched to handicaps.

Form: 321

(7)

Wonder Elzaam^b⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: J F Egan| T: J S Moore| OR: 83| D

12/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2021. 17/2, good second of 10 in handicap at Kempton (6f) 9 days ago, beaten only by one firmly on the up. May just be vulnerable to a couple again here.

Form: 986232

Non-Runners

(4)

Karibana³⁰

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: R Hughes J: George Rooke

Forecasts

Red Mirage (10/3), Rhythm Master (10/3), Royal Parade (4/1), Ayr Harbour (15/2), Above (9/1), Tiger Crusade (10/1), Karibana (10/1), Wonder Elzaam (12/1), Light And Dark (14/1), Final Watch (18/1)

RHYTHM MASTER put up a smart performance when gaining a first win since his 2-y-o days at Newcastle in June and, with that form having substance, he could well be up to defying a 2 lb higher mark. 3-y-o Royal Parade on handicap debut is feared, as are Ayr Harbour and Red Mirage.