20:55 Chelmsford City

Thursday 24 April 2025

All18:2518:5519:2519:5520:2520:55

6 Horses Challenge At bet365 Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 20:55 | Winning time: 2m 4.17s

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(6)

Ninth Life^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 77| D

13/2

5-y-o who came in for a sound ride and displayed a good attitude when doubling his career tally at Southwell (11.1f) 13 months ago. Shaped as if needing the run on first start since when fourth of 7 in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f) 14 days ago and likely he'll be sharper here.

Form: 1/9661-4

(1)

Crystal Mariner^t1⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 77| D

7/1

AW maiden winner for Sir Michael Stoute and best effort for this yard when runner-up at Kempton (12f) in December. Hasn't scaled same heights since, albeit not ideally placed when sixth of 9 in handicap at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 72 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time and not dismissed.

Form: 7362-86

(5)

Saturn Five³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Mikkel Mortensen⁽⁵⁾| T: C Fellowes| OR: 76

10/1

Very lightly-raced 6-y-o who shaped quite well after 22 months off when fourth of 11 in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f) 35 days ago, coming from further back than the trio who beat him. Worth bearing in mind in the hope he can stand more regular racing.

Form: 31977/4

(4)

Dr Waksman⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: T P Queally| T: C Gordon| OR: 76

50/1

Lightly-raced gelding who ran his best race in this sphere when fourth in a Dundalk maiden (10.7f) in October. Promise in a couple of runs in juvenile/maiden hurdles upon joining new yard and he could yet have more to offer now handicapping in this sphere. Market can guide.

Form: 06574-

(9)

Fox Avatar^h1¹⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 76| D

7/2

Frankel gelding who showed the benefit of his first run when winning 7-runner novice at Beverley (9.9f) in September. Seemed unsuited by conditions when fifth of 7 in novice at Nottingham (8.3f, heavy) on final start but he remains with potential now handicapping on AW debut. Hood on 1st time.

Form: 315-

(2)

Cavalry Call^v1⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Mitchell| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 75| BF

7/2

4-y-o who arrives in good form, again going down narrowly when finishing neck second in 7-runner handicap at Bath (10.2f, firm) 4 days ago. Visor goes on turned out quickly and respected for all he lacks the potential of one or two.

Form: 8-48622

(8)

Caelan³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: O Murphy| OR: 69

15/2

12/1, respectable third of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 31 days ago, keeping on. Return to this 1¼m trip looks in his favour on that evidence and he has a handicap or two in him this year from this sort of mark.

Form: 00-6953

(3)

Always A Star¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: T E Whelan| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 67| BF

10/3

Improving 4-y-o who looked suited by the increase in trip when third of 8 on handicap debut at Yarmouth (10.1f, good to firm) 19 days ago, running on without being unduly punished. In good hands and strong suspicion there's more to come. Shortlisted.

Form: 0/433

Non-Runners

(7)

Afloat²⁰

Weight: 9-8| Age: 5

T: George Scott J: Callum Shepherd

Forecasts

Always A Star (10/3), Cavalry Call (7/2), Fox Avatar (7/2), Ninth Life (13/2), Crystal Mariner (7/1), Caelan (15/2), Saturn Five (10/1), Afloat (10/1), Dr Waksman (50/1)

ALWAYS A STAR is progressing gradually on the back of a lengthy absence, running his best race yet tackling this trip for the first time when third at Yarmouth 3 weeks ago. In good hands and appealing as the type to improve further, he's of interest from this sort of mark. Cavalry Call is knocking on the door and feared, with Afloat and Fox Avatar others to consider in what looks a pretty strong handicap for the grade.