UK Horse Racing Tips: Chelmsford City

I MAXIMUS contested a few useful novice/maiden events last season and this looks a good opportunity for him. The son of Zoustar is related to three winners who were all successful on the all-weather, and an official rating of 81 sets a decent standard. Dream Out Loud has filled the runner-up spot on both of his racecourse appearances and is unlikely to be far away, while Cooramook appeals most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st I Maximus 2nd Dream Out Loud 3rd Cooramook

Payment Plan has been progressive during the winter and although disappointing last time out, it would come as no surprise were he to bounce back in first-time cheekpieces. However, a chance is taken on BLUE SKY BOY, who lost all chance when on the receiving end of interference at Southwell in January. He struck the woodwork over this C&D earlier that month, though, and Paul Attwater's unexposed stayer would go very close if able to replicate that level of performance. Star Legend is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Blue Sky Boy 2nd Payment Plan 3rd Star Legend

A chance can be taken on OLYMPIC MELODY, who was last seen finishing down the field in a novice event at Newmarket in November. The daughter of Oasis Dream has since left Rae Guest to join the Kevin Philippart De Foy stable, and it would not come as any great surprise were she to find improvement now sent handicapping. A tendency to race freely continues to affect Watkins' chance, but he's a likely contender if settling. Top Star, who sports a first-time hood for his reappearance, is one more to consider.
Prediction : 1st Olympic Melody 2nd Watkins 3rd Top Star

Bust A Moon finished fourth on his handicap bow at Wolverhampton in November and is an interesting contender back down in trip on his first start for David Evans. However, a chance can be taken on RHODES ROYCE, who has failed to fire in her three starts in maiden/novice company, but it would be no surprise if she proved a different proposition off a low opening rating. With Kieran Shoemark booked, she might be up to the task. Cheeky Stanley is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Rhodes Royce 2nd Bust A Moon 3rd Cheeky Stanley

General Assembly made every yard of the running when holding on by a neck at Wolverhampton and is just 2lb higher. A slight concern is the application of first-time cheekpieces after that success and, with that in mind, SECRET HANDSHEIKH gets the nod. John Gallagher's seven-year-old was last seen finishing second at Brighton in October and has three previous victories on the all-weather to his name. With an ideal draw in stall one, he could be the one to beat. Alafdhal is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Secret Handsheikh 2nd General Assembly 3rd Alafdhal

Once Adaay was well positioned when fading into third over track and trip in January, but he goes off an unchanged mark and would be foolish to dismiss. Even so, FRANCISCO makes more appeal. The son of Zoustar finished a close-up third over 6f at Wolverhampton and takes a step back up in distance. This is only his fourth start in a handicap and he could take a step forward to strike. Stella Hogan is another to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Francisco 2nd Once Adaay 3rd Stella Hogan

KITARO KICH's winning run came to an end with a solid runner-up effort over C&D, but he lost little in defeat and a 2lb rise may not be enough to stop him from getting his head back in front. Lady Flora has strong claims on last month's second at Kempton, while Where's Freddy has the potential to improve for going back up to a mile.
Prediction : 1st Kitaro Kich 2nd Lady Flora 3rd Wheres Freddy

A promising third on his handicap debut at Wolverhampton when keeping on from off the pace, RULING MASTER gets a tentative vote to break the maiden, having been runner-up over C&D on his penultimate outing. Lightening Mann did it well when scoring comfortably over a mile at Lingfield earlier in the month and he must enter calculations, along with the returning Glenridding, who is 4lb above his last winning mark.
Prediction : 1st Ruling Master 2nd Lightening Mann 3rd Glenridding