Fourth Race 7.00pm

THE CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5)

for three yrs old and upwards x Total race value £10000 Owners Prize Money. 1st £4011, 2nd £2005, 3rd £1003, 4th £501, 5th £240, 6th £240. (Penalty Value £5076)

colours no horse age st- lb Draw

BETS AVAILABLE ON THIS RACE

CITY SELECTIONS EPIC EXPRESS proved well suited by the drop in trip when successful over C&D a week ago and Chris Dwyer’s charge is fancied to follow up under a 5lb penalty. Legende D’art is usually seen to greater effect over 7f, but he likes it here and remains of interest, especially if getting a good pace to aim at. Market support should be noted for handicap debutant Maiden’s Green, while the consistent Thaki is another who merits a place on the shortlist.

EPIC EXPRESS

Legende D’art Leading course trainer (17-22): M Appleby (76 wins from 634 runners, 12%) runs ZAPPER CASS Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): C Hills (6 wins from 25 runners, 24%) runs MAIDEN’S GREEN Weightwatcher: ZAPPER CASS won off a handicap mark of 82, his rating is now down 15lb to 67. Longest Traveller: IUR CINN TRA trained by D O’Meara, Upper Helmsley, 205 miles.

Br Breeding O Owner B Breeder J Jockey T Trainer S Sponsor

1 THAKI (IRE) (26) 331203 D Br B g Lope de Vega (IRE) - Mickleberry (IRE) O Dr Johnny Hon B Anglia Bloodstock Ltd & Mr C. Humber 5 9-13 (2)

Harry Davies (3) J Chris Dwyer, Newmarket T Tote S TIMEFORMVIEWLatestwinatNewcastleinMay.9/4,respectablethirdof6inhandicapatKempton(6f)26daysago. Likely to give it a good shot under Harry Davies. TFRHHHII BHA71 2 LEGENDE D’ART (IRE) (121) 1-21021 C 5 9-12 (5)

Br B g Kingman - Legende Bleue O Dethrone Racing

Christian Howarth (5) J Henry Spiller, Newmarket T B Dayton Investments Ltd CG Asset Management S TIMEFORM VIEW Course winner. 2 wins from 5 runs this year. 11/2, won 7-runner handicap at Yarmouth (7f, soft), keeping on well. Off 121 days and this 3lb higher mark demands a bit more. TFRHHHII BHA70

3 HARB (GB) (15) 040043 CD 3 9-10 (1)

Br B g Muhaarar - Maid For Winning (USA) Shane Kelly J

O Gallagher Bloodstock Limited

Peter Crate, Reigate T B Boyce Bloodstock & Mrs C. E. Percival Gallagher Group Ltd. S TIMEFORM VIEW C&D winner. Creditable third of 8 in handicap at Sandown (5f, heavy, 11/1) 15 days ago. Return to this track/trip are both potentially positive factors and he needs considering. TFRHHHHH BHA70 4 ENDURING (GB) (26) 013505 D 4 9-9 (3)

Br B g Coulsty (IRE) - Yearbook O Mr Marc Middleton-Heath

Benoit de la Sayette (3) J Eve Johnson Houghton, Blewbury T B Bearstone Stud Abm Catering Limited S TIMEFORM VIEW Latest win at Bath in June. 3/1, fifth of 6 in handicap at Kempton (6f) 26 days ago. Down 2lb and merits respect with a top apprentice doing the steering. TFRHHHII BHA67 5 MUSICAL MYSTERY (GB) (38) 5-54223 BF 3 9-9 (4)

Br B g Showcasing - Puzzled Look O G Bishop and A Kirkland

Ray Dawson J Ali Stronge, Eastbury T B Whitsbury Manor Stud Topspec Equine Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEWThirdof4inhandicapatChepstow(6.1f,goodtosoft,2/1)38daysago.Shadebelowparonthatoccasion but chased home progressive types at Windsor and Leicester prior to that. Not discounted. TFRHHHII BHA69 6 IUR CINN TRA (IRE) (26) 532554 CD 3 9-9 (10)

Br Ch g Starspangledbanner (AUS) - Appreciating O C & E Grant

Jason Watson J David O’Meara, Upper Helmsley T B Clara Stud Gain Equine Nutrition S TIMEFORM VIEW C&D winner. Creditable fourth of 10 in handicap (11/2) at Wolverhampton (5.1f) 26 days ago. Unlikely that he’ll be far away, but others make more appeal for win purposes. TFRHHHII BHA69 7 ZAPPER CASS (FR) (98) 661423 CD

Br B g Elusive City (USA) - Moonlight Cass (IRE) O Mr Michael Appleby B Arunas Cicenas 9 9-9 (6)

Alistair Rawlinson J Michael Appleby, Oakham T Trade Access Panels Ltd S TIMEFORM VIEW C&D winner. Third of 5 in handicap at Nottingham (5f, good, 14/1). Off 98 days and while he is by no means ruled out, chances are that he’ll find a few too good. TFRHHIII BHA67

George Bass (3) J Chris Dwyer, Newmarket T B Mr & Mrs N. Welby Bred Thorough Ltd S TIMEFORM VIEW 9/2, career best when winning 9-runner handicap at this C&D 7 days ago, keeping on well. Big player under a penalty. TFRHHHHI BHA62 (+5) 9 MAIDEN’S GREEN (GB) (89) 36-4

Br B f Oasis Dream - Inyordreams O Mr H. Frost 3 9-7 (9)

Rossa Ryan J Charles Hills, Lambourn T B Bolton Grange Stonegate Homes S TIMEFORM VIEW Thrice-raced maiden. 11/1, fourth of 7 in maiden at Leicester (6f, good to soft) 89 days ago. Improvement needed now that she’s pitched into a handicap, but that’s by no means impossible. TFRHHHII BHA67 10 BOWLING RUSSIAN (IRE) (78) 004340 D 5 9-7 (8)

Br B g Lope de Vega (IRE) - Minute Limit (IRE) Saffie Osborne (3) J

O Mr E. A. Hayward Charlie Wallis, Ardleigh T

B Airlie Stud & Mrs S. Rogers TIMEFORM VIEW Fourteen runs since last win in 2020. First run since leaving George Baker when last of 7 in handicap (16/1) at Lingfield (6f, AW) 78 days ago. Others preferred. TFRHHIII BHA65 11 BOBBY ON THE BEAT (IRE) (9) 425003 C D 4 9-7 (12)

Br B g Bobby’s Kitten (USA) - Late Night Movie (IRE) O Ruby Red Racing

Grace McEntee (3) J Phil McEntee, Newmarket T

B Mountarmstrong Stud TIMEFORM VIEW Course winner. Third of 10 in handicap (11/1) at Lingfield (5f, AW) 9 days ago. On a fair mark, but he nevertheless looks vulnerable. TFRHHHII BHA65

12 DARK DESIGN (IRE) (46) 146210 CD

Br B g Gutaifan (IRE) - Divine Design (IRE) O Aj Racing 5 9-4 (11)

Neil Callan J Henry Spiller, Newmarket T B Joe Fogarty CG Asset Management S TIMEFORM VIEW C&D winner. Latest win at Yarmouth in August. Last of 10 in handicap at this course (8f, 15/2) 46 days ago. Back down in trip and minor place money is probably the best he can hope for. TFRHHIII BHA62 (-1)

DECLARED RUNNERS 12 2021: REBEL REDEMPTION 4 9 6 Jason Hart 7-1 (John Quinn) 8 ran Tongue Strap worn by No. 1, 6. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2, 5, 10, 12. Stewards Note: DARK DESIGN: Following its run on 14/8/2022 it was reported that the horse ran flat after it clipped heels.

Probable S.P’s: 13-2 Epic Express (GB), 7-1 Thaki (IRE), 8-1 Legende d’Art (IRE), 17-2 Maiden’s Green (GB), 9-1 Musical Mystery (GB), 10-1 Harb (GB), Iur Cinn Tra (IRE), 11-1 Enduring (GB), 12-1 Bobby On The Beat (IRE), 18-1 Zapper Cass (FR), 20-1 Dark Design (IRE), 28-1 Bowling Russian (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER HARB was a decisive winner of a C&D novice when in the care of Mark Johnston last year and, though winless so far this season, he has taken steps back in the right direction at Windsor and Sandown for his new yard the last twice. The return to 6f should help and he is appealing off a reduced mark. There are dangers aplenty, headed by recent C&D scorer Epic Express and the consistent Thaki. A mention must also be made of Enduring and handicap-debutante Maiden’s Green needs a second look, too.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.HARB 2.EPIC EXPRESS 3.THAKI (IRE)

RACE RESULT TIME:

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Sponsors Thank You

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