Fifth Race 7.30pm

THE weatherbysshop.co.uk HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)

for three yrs old x Total race value £40000 Owners Prize Money. 1st £16252, 2nd £8128, 3rd £4064, 4th £2032, 5th £1016. (Penalty Value £20616)

colours no horse st- lb Draw

BETS AVAILABLE ON THIS RACE

CITY SELECTIONS MOUNTAIN ROAD easily fended off the challenges presented by Spit Spot and Pons Aelius when they met over C&D last month and created the impression that a 4lb higher mark is unlikely to prevent him from cementing his superiority over those two rivals. The last-named has improved since being switched to the all-weather and may provide the biggest threat to the selection, despite picking up a 6lb penalty for winning over 2m at Kempton eight days ago.

MOUNTAIN ROAD Pons Aelius

Leading course trainer (17-22): C & M Johnston (82 wins from 486 runners, 17%) runs PONS AELIUS & TEMPORIZE Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): C & M Johnston (2 wins from 21 runners, 10%) runs PONS AELIUS & TEMPORIZE Longest Traveller: TEMPORIZE & PONS AELIUS trained by C & M Johnston, Middleham, 230 miles.

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

1 MOUNTAIN ROAD (FR) (35) 342211 CD

Br B g Churchill (IRE) - La Corniche (FR) O The Future 9-9 (5)

Jamie Spencer J David Simcock, Newmarket T

B Haras De Saint-Vincent & F. Bragato TIMEFORMVIEW5/2,careerbestwhenwinning7-runnerhandicapatthisC&D35daysagoby11/2lengthsfromSpitSpot, well on top finish. Clearly progressive and a 4lb rise may not be enough to stop him in his tracks. TFRHHHHH BHA86 2 PONS AELIUS (IRE) (8) 320341

Br B c Galileo (IRE) - Laugh Out Loud O Susan and John Waterworth

9-8 (in 6lb ex) (4)

Joanna Mason J Charlie & Mark Johnston, Middleham T B C. O. P. Hanbury Johnston Racing Ltd S TIMEFORM VIEW Four wins from 16 runs this year. 17/2, career best when winning 13-runner handicap at Kempton (16f) 8 days ago, well positioned. More needed under a penalty but likely to give it a good shot all the same. TFRHHHII BHA79 (+4) 3 TEMPORIZE (GB) (8) 004030

Br B g Postponed (IRE) - Party Line O Mr S. R. Counsell 9-7 (2)

William Buick J Charlie & Mark Johnston, Middleham T B Mr Stuart Counsell Johnston Racing Ltd S TIMEFORM VIEW 11/1, 12 3/4 lengths twelfth of 13 to Pons Aelius in handicap at Kempton (16f) 8 days ago. Hoped pinned on first-time cheekpieces sparking a turnaround here. TFRHHIII BHA84 (-1) 4 SPIT SPOT (GB) (35) 540162 CD

Br Ch f Sir Percy - Taweyla (IRE) O Mr Des Thurlby B Des Thurlby 8-8 (1)

Hayley Turner J Chris Wall, Newmarket T Tote S TIMEFORM VIEW C&D winner. Winner here in September. Very good 1 1/2 lengths second of 7 to Mountain Road in handicap (33/1) at this C&D 35 days ago, clear of rest. Bold show anticipated. TFRHHHHI BHA71 5 ZESTFUL (GB) (240) 545-5 8-5 (3)

Br B f Postponed (IRE) - Heart’s Content (IRE) O Martin Keighley Racing Partnership 16

George Rooke J Martin Keighley, Cheltenham T B Godolphin Fbc Manby Bowdler S TIMEFORM VIEW Lightly-raced maiden. Off 8 months ahead of this handicap debut for new yard and probably best watched. TFRHIIII BHA68

DECLARED RUNNERS 5 2021: BASCULE (FR) 3 8 13 George Rooke 6-5 (Richard Hughes) 7 ran Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 3. Hood worn by No. 1.

Probable S.P’s: 6-4 Mountain Road (FR), 9-4 Pons Aelius (IRE), 10-3 Spit Spot (GB), 14-1 Temporize (GB), 40-1 Zestful (GB)

PLAY SMARTER There could be more to come from MOUNTAIN ROAD and he is taken to complete the hat-trick following his decisive verdict over the re-opposing Spit Spot over this C&D last month. The latter is taken to follow David Simcock’s charge home once again, with Pons Aelius, winner of a competitive Kempton handicap recently, also likely to be involved in the finish.

2nd 4th

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Chelmsford City Racecourse operates under the Challenge 25 rules. Please remember that if you are lucky enough to look under 25,you will be asked to prove that you are aged ok 18 under 25,and over when buying valcohol.If you are under 18 you are committing an offence if you attempt to buy alcohol and will be asked to leave the racecourse premises immediately.