Racecards
18:55 Chelmsford City
Betsi Handicap (Class 3)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Standard
- Surface: Polytrack
- £15,000 added
- Winner: £8,100
- 2nd: £3,802
- 3rd: £1,902
- 4th: £951
- Form 233158-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer R Varian
- Jockey David Egan
Midfield, pushed along over 1f out, headway to lead 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong
- Form 300621-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey Jim Crowley
Led, headed 7f out, chased leader, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
- Form 566403-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R L Moore
Held up, ridden 2f out, headway 1f out, stayed on into second in final furlong
- Form 686417-
- Age 8
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer Tom Clover
- Jockey J Mitchell
Held up, very keen, headway to lead 7f out, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, gradually weakened
- Form 921113-
- Age 5
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer C Fellowes
- Jockey Callum Shepherd
Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression
In depth
Verdict
Dubai Souq had to slide down the weights to get his head in front last year and has been raised 8lb for winning at Redcar in November. Vanity Affair has been off the track since last summer having completed a hat-trick earlier in the year and is 7lb higher than his latest success while SATONO JAPAN failed to win anywhere last season. But the latter has been gelded in the interim and, with Sir Michael Stoute’s yard among the winners recently, he may well take advantage of his current mark and end a long losing run. Greatgadian has also been gelded but Balgair is upped in class.
Formwatch
Greatgadian (GER) 5-1 (9-7) In rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Rebel Territory (9-2) at Newmarket 1m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Dubai Souq (IRE) 9-4fav (8-12) Made all, pushed along well over 2f out, went clear under 2f out, eased down closing stages, unchallenged home straight, won at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating First Impression (9-1) by 3l, 10 ran.
Satono Japan (JPN) 6-1 (9-12) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out, ran on well late, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Mr Excellency (9-4) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Balgair 12-1 (10-1) Keen close up, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Hathlool (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Vanity Affair (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Mid-division, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Spirit Dancer (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jun.