19:30 Chelmsford City

Thursday 9 November 2023

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Christmas Party Nights Handicap

Off time: 19:32 | Winning time: 2m 5.36s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Base Note^v²¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: R Coakley| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 102| D

5/1

Creditable second of 6 in minor event at Newcastle (10.2f, 6/1), clear of rest. Each-way chance, provided he is ready to roll following 7 months off.

Form: 12-1552

(8)

Felix^p,t²⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Marco Ghiani| T: M Botti| OR: 98| D

12/1

Six wins from 23 Flat runs. Fifteen runs since last win in 2021. 8/1, ninth of 14 in handicap at Meydan (9.9f, good), left poorly placed. Off 9 months and he looks vulnerable.

Form: 4483-79

(4)

Barenboim^h¹⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| CD

14/1

C&D winner. 2 wins from 6 runs this year. 6/1, last of 9 in handicap at Kempton (12f), needing stronger gallop. Off 169 days. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 121379

(7)

Believe In Stars⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 94| D

15/8

Thrice-raced winner. Won 8-runner minor event at Goodwood (9.9f, good to firm, 9/2) 65 days ago, well positioned. Open to improvement now handicapping and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 61-1

(5)

Mr Professor³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Owen Lewis⁽⁷⁾| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 93

12/1

Latest win at Goodwood in September. 10/3, respectable second of 8 in handicap at Hamilton (9.2f, soft) 38 days ago, clear of rest. Place possibilities.

Form: 032412

(6)

Storm Catcher⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: S Pearce| OR: 90| CD

2/1

Three-time C&D winner. Five wins from 16 Flat runs. Below form twentieth of 34 in handicap (66/1) at Newmarket (9f, good to firm) 40 days ago. This is not so daunting and he should have a part to play.

Form: 472310

(2)

Yorkshire Lady¹⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 87| D

20/1

Five wins from 19 Flat runs. 13/2, bit below form fourth of 15 in handicap at York (11.8f, good to firm). Off 145 days and will probably find one or two too good.

Form: 1767-74

Non-Runners

(1)

Greatgadian²⁷

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: R Varian J: Aidan Keeley

Forecasts

Believe In Stars (15/8), Storm Catcher (2/1), Greatgadian (7/2), Base Note (5/1), Felix (12/1), Mr Professor (12/1), Barenboim (14/1), Yorkshire Lady (20/1)

With just three runs under his belt, there is almost certainly more to come from BELIEVE IN STARS, who narrowly prevailed in a Goodwood novice in September and makes his handicap debut off what looks a decent enough mark. Greatgadian returned to form when scoring over a mile here and he is second choice ahead of Storm Catcher and Mr Professor.