16:00 Chelmsford City

Thursday 7 August 2025

All14:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

bet365 Chelmsford City Cup (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 2m 2.87s

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(6)

Flight Leader^t⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: William Carver| T: J A Osborne| OR: 103| D

22/1

Built up good strike rate in France but 13th of 18 in handicap at Ascot (66/1) 48 days ago, merely plugged on. Needs to recapture previous form.

Form: 1517-40

(8)

Soldier's Empire^h²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: N Callan| T: M Botti| OR: 98| D

14/1

Won in Bahrain in March but disappointed since returning to Britain, finishing 13th of 18 in handicap at York (40/1) 26 days ago when racing off the pace. May be being prepared for another Bahrain campaign.

Form: 241400

(4)

Magnum Opus^v⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Burns⁽³⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 96| C

4/1

Won 9f handicap at Meydan in February and finished 4th of 22 at Doncaster in March. Claimer ridden when 25th of 30 in handicap at Ascot (50/1) 50 days ago, ran no sort of race after 12 weeks off. Has previous course win.

Form: 351440

(9)

Sovereign Sea⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 93

5/2

Runner-up in four consecutive races including when finishing clear second in a deep handicap field at Newbury (10f) in May. Finished last of 12 in a handicap at York (13/2), not on game when racing freely and hanging left. Type to bounce back quickly.

Form: 1-22220

(1)

Storm Catcher^p⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: L Morris| T: S Pearce| OR: 92| CD

33/1

Better on AW with 3 C&D wins but below par in 3 starts this term. Something to prove with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 008-700

(3)

Liberty Coach^p²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 91| D

8/1

Picked up fourth win from last six starts at Redcar in May but below par both starts since, finishing last of 7 at Chester (10f, 17/2) 27 days ago, forfeiting early lead and weakening from 3f out.

Form: 21-5187

(7)

Silent Film⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: Ian Williams| OR: 90

22/1

Winless in Britain for over 4 years now. Seventh of 10 in handicap at Newcastle (AW) at 33/1 42 days ago when likely needed the run after 6 months off. Could benefit from return to 10f.

Form: 3588-77

(2)

Box To Box^v³³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Joe Leavy| T: H Palmer| OR: 88| D

12/1

Won a 10f handicap at Haydock 47 days ago but was prominent before fading in 12th of 14 in a stronger 12f handicap (16/1) 33 days ago. Should appreciate return to this trip.

Form: 857510

(5)

Wadacre Gomez^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: C Johnston| OR: 86| CD

8/1

Five-time C&D winner who ran respectably when 7th of 13 at Wolverhampton (28/1) 7 days ago, never threatening in visor. Cheekpieces back on for return to favoured track.

Form: 032877

(10)

Thunder Wonder⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: C Johnston| OR: 94

10/3

Both wins this year came at Musselburgh but struggled in more competitive handicaps since. This looks easier at least.

Form: 010658

Forecasts

Sovereign Sea (5/2), Thunder Wonder (10/3), Magnum Opus (4/1), Liberty Coach (8/1), Wadacre Gomez (8/1), Box To Box (12/1), Soldier's Empire (14/1), Silent Film (22/1), Flight Leader (22/1), Storm Catcher (33/1)

SOVEREIGN SEA is fancied to bounce back from a disappointing effort at York, having previously finished runner-up in four consecutive races, including a deep Newbury handicap. Charlie Johnston's pair Wadacre Gomez and Thunder Wonder head the dangers.