Regular looks perfect fit at Chelmsford
REGULAR is fancied to carry the colours of the Queen to a first career victory in the £20 Free Bets At totesport.com Novice Stakes at Chelmsford.
Michael Bell’s juvenile has presumably had his issues, having been gelded before he even made it to the racecourse.
However, the fact he was favourite for his introductory run at Redcar little over a month ago suggests he had shown his Derby-winning trainer (right) something on the Newmarket gallops, and while he came up a little short, he ran a seriously encouraging race to finish a closeup second.
Regular made his second appearance at Doncaster almost three weeks later and ran respectably finish fifth, shaping as though he was still not entirely sure what was required.
He switches to the all-weather for what looks a winnable race on paper, and should be there or thereabouts.
The Mark Johnston-trained Matter horn won comfortably on his first visit to the Essex circuit three weeks ago and can follow up in the Irish Lotto At totesport.com Novice Stakes.
The son of Raven’s Pass was beaten into third when favourite for his Pontefract debut, but rewarded those who kept the faith with an odds-on success over a mile here.
The step up to a mile and a quarter may bring about improvement.
Mainsail Atlantic has made little impact in novice company so a try in handicaps is an obvious step in the Bet In Play At totesport.com Handicap.
He ran into one too good when beaten six lengths on his first try over 10 furlongs when last seen, but his run was certainly not devoid of promise.
Handicap heats should be more his type of thing, though, and this could be good placing by James Fanshawe. Azure Fly can take a starring role in the Racing UK Veterans’ Handicap Chase at Huntingdon after a decent warm-up effort at Uttoxeter. He finished fourth on that outing last month, making his return after 246 days off the track and having had a wind operation.
Charlie Longsdon’s runner now sits on his lowest ever chase rating and a race such as this presents the perfect opportunity to take advantage.
Banditry can make his mark as he returns to obstacles in the Michaelmas Handicap Hurdle.
Ian Williams’ runner has been very busy on the Flat during the summer, with his one-and-aquarter-length defeat by Thundering Blue at York a particularly eyecatching effort given the winner’s subsequent Group One exploits.
Ease in the ground on his last two outings on the level did not bring out the best in him, but Banditry should appreciate the likely sound surface at Huntingdon and will certainly be fit for action.
Cascova is one to note in the closing Ellington “Junior” Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
He hails from the family of Festival winner Kadoun and could be an interesting contender for Martyn Meade.
Irish Prophecy has always been highly regarded by Emma Lavelle and can start to live up to that promise in the Cotswold Mini Hereford Chase at Hereford.
A dual bumper winner, he scored once in four starts over hurdles and looked sure to be suited by a move to chasing as a scopey type.
Point-to-point winner Cavok is one to follow in the British Stallions “National Hunt” EBF Novices’ Hurdle at Lingfield.
Third on her sole bumper start back in March, Ben Pauling’s runner should be much more at home with something to jump after being caught out for pace on the level.
SELECTIONS: CHELMSFORD: 4.15 REGULAR (NAP), 4.45 Jack Nevison, 5.15 Sea Fox, 5.45 Matterhorn, 6.15 Mainsail Atlantic, 6.45 Tigerfish, 7.15 Impart.
HEREFORD: 1.00 Ballygown Bay, 1.30 Dr Oakley, 2.00 Gwalia, 2.30 Irish Prophecy, 3.00 The Drone, 3.30 Creep Desbois, 4.00 Borak.
HUNTINGDON: 1.10 Ferrobin, 1.40 Strong Resemblance, 2.10 Banditry, 2.40 Azure Fly, 3.10 Kingston, 3.40 Cascova. LINGFIELD: 12.50 Parody, 1.20 Cavok, 1.50 Champion Chase, 2.20 Bazooka, 2.50 Lillington, 3.20 Evron, 3.50 Finnegan’s Garden.
DOUBLE: