Clon Coulis has the recipe for success at Chelmsford
London – Clon Coulis can make light of a lengthy absence by winning the Bet totetrifecta Fillies’ Conditions Stakes at Chelmsford today.
The five-year-old struck twice at Listed level last term, prompting David Barron to try Group 3 company for what was her final outing of the campaign in September.
She was very much up against it on that occasion and probably deserves a bit more credit than her near four-length fifth suggests, because she was conceding weight to the likes of Group 1-placed Veracious.
Clon Coulis has been off the track since then, but Barron has found a good option here because the conditions of the race put her ahead of her three rivals, despite having to shoulder a penalty.
Designated can step up on her two efforts to date and win the Bet toteswinger Novice Stakes.
Hailing from the family of the smart Peeress, Designated’s value would be enhanced if she were to record a victory. But, after an initially promising debut, she took a bit of a step back last time out.
However, it is too early to write her off, and Designated might enjoy this try at 1000m after seeming to lack a bit of stamina for 1400m in her most recent outing.
Act Of Magic is the choice in the Bet toteexacta Handicap.
Previously trained in Ireland, he made a decent start in handicap company for Mohammed Moubarak and lines up off what still seems a competitive perch.
Rippling Water proved very game in victory when last seen and can follow up in the COFCO International UK Handicap.
That was a moderate heat, but this event is quite ordinary too, so he might not need to find much more off a 0.5kg higher perch.
Warren Greatrex enjoyed a great day on Sunday with La Bague Au Roi winning in Ireland and, despite tougher opposition, Emitom can keep the bandwagon rolling in the Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon.
The five-year-old is unbeaten in four racecourse outings so far, winning twice in bumper company and twice over hurdles.
He has finished five lengths clear of the second on both his starts over obstacles and is rated a real Cheltenham Festival contender, so this should be a fine prep outing.
Nicky Henderson’s Angels Breath will be a tough nut to crack – but in receipt of a 0.5kg penalty because of the unbeaten likely favourite’s Grade 2 win on rules debut, Emitom may have the answers at this trip.
Top Ville Ben may well be short odds, but should collect in the Larkshill Engineering Novices’ Chase at Doncaster.
Phil Kirby had earmarked last weekend’s Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby for his Cheltenham Festival contender, only for that fixture to be lost to the cold snap.
He has had to reroute Top Ville Ben - but ground, trip and course should be right up the much-improved seven-year-old’s street.
At Ffos Las, enthusiastic owner and amateur jockey David Maxwell relies on Ballotin in the Open Hunters’ Chase.
The ex-French eight-year-old scored first time out, on debut for Philip Hobbs, in better company and should have this field covered. –
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