17:30 Chelmsford

Leg 1 Selections: Yimou, Lilkian

YIMOU hasn’t won for a long time but was beaten just a neck over course-and-distance on his latest start here back in September off a three-pounds higher mark. He is very well-treated based on his last exploits, especially last year, where he made the frame multiple times off higher marks. He has solid place claims. 

LILKIAN was due to run at Kempton yesterday but connections must feel this race is slightly easier and gives him a better chance. His last three wins have been at the course, twice off higher marks and the other over this distance off this mark. If able to produce his best, he will surely be thereabouts.

18:00 Chelmsford

Leg 2 Selections: Cool Lightning, Prospering

COOL LIGHTNING did plenty wrong on his debut but stayed on well to finish second and was then only beaten a short head at Southwell when last spotted. He should have a lot more to come and Rossa Ryan has been booked to ride. He should prove hard to keep out of the frame. 

PROSPERING left his debut effort well and truly behind when second at Southwell last time behind an odds-on favourite. Tom Marquand takes over in the saddle this time around and, with a lot more to offer, Ed Walker’s charge is a big player in this race. 

18:30 Chelmsford

Leg 3 Selections: Delagate The Lady, Shamshon

DELAGATE THE LADY hasn’t been seen for a while but she’s eight pounds lower than when successful over track and trip and the booking of Tom Marquand is a positive. If her absence doesn’t prove too much of a concern, she has a good chance of at least making the frame in this from a good draw in stall two on her stable debut. 

SHAMSHON is at the twilight stage of his career, doesn’t win often and has mostly competed over five and four furlongs but the last time he tackled six furlongs, he shaped well when third on the turf at Newmarket. That was off a mark of 58 and he is ten pounds lower and has a good slot in stall four. He is very well-handicapped past on his past exploits, so he could be ready to run a big race. 

19:00 Chelmsford

Leg 4 Selections: Crack Regiment, Bit Harsh

CRACK REGIMENT has been highly tried since joining this stable and is eight pounds lower than his last success, which was at this track over a mile. He ran a very solid race when fifth last time in a higher-grade event and would have been closer with a better gallop and clear passage. Down two pounds, he could go close if this longer trip has a positive outcome. 

BIT HARSH won with quite a bit in hand over this course-and-distance five weeks ago and whilst this race is tougher, he should have more to offer. That latest success was only his second start in a handicap plus Alan King’s team are in pretty good form too. A lower draw would have been preferable but he shouldn’t be far away with a repeat of his latest career-best performance. 

19:30 Chelmsford

Leg 5 Selections: Chagall

This is a very weak race and it presents a good opportunity for CHAGALL to maintain his good course form. He has run twice here, which has resulted with a win and a second and is Jack Jones only runner on the card. 

Whilst his latest fourth was a slightly below-par effort, the application of headgear could help him get back on track here. He wouldn’t need to improve much on what he has shown to date to be extremely competitive in this winnable event. 

20:00 Chelmsford

Leg 6 Selections: Laurentia, Lake Sand

LAURENTIA remains seven pounds higher than when scoring here in September but her last couple of performances have suggested she is nearing a return to winning ways. She is drawn nicely in stall five and is by far the most consistent of these of late. I think she will make a major impact in today’s assignment. 

LAKE SAND is selected for back-up purposes. I thought he ran quite well when fourth here last time after five months off and should be able to build on that. He is another who is drawn low in stall three and is five pounds below his last win, which was over course-and-distance. It is difficult to not see him running well.