Steel Train is on the right track

STEEL TRAIN enjoyed his first success for a year at Chelmsford last month and can steam to victory back at the Essex track.

The six-year-old had been out in the wilderness since striking at Newcastle and had hardly beaten a rival in the majority of his nine starts.

However, the son of Zafeen had shown a glimmer when beaten six and a quarter lengths in a 19-runner handicap at Doncaster in November won by Speculative Bid.

That must have given his trainer David O’Meara hope of a revival and Steel Train duly delivered when quickening sweetly to take a sevenfurlong handicap in good style by a length from Swift Approval.

On that evidence, he should not be inconvenienced by the step up to a mile in his bid to follow up in the Bet toteexacta At betfred.com Handicap.

You’re Cool can complete a hattrick of wins over this five furlongs in the Bet totetrifectaAt betfred.com Handicap.

John Balding’s sprinter has gone up another 4lb for his latest success six weeks ago but his liking for the track is a big plus.

Enigmatic lost nothing in defeat when second to Thello at Newcastle last week on his first try in a handicap.

Jamie Osborne’s charge had won his two previous starts and can regain winning ways in the Book Tickets At chelmsfordcityracecourse.com Handicap.

Bardd is an interesting runner from Nicky Henderson’s champion jumps stable in the Bet totewin At betfred. com Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

The five-year-old makes his Flat debut but wears the familiar colours of Elite Racing, worn to such great success by the record-breaking filly Marsha this season.

Bardd has shown fair form over hurdles recently without getting his head in front, but he did win a bumper at Sandown in November 2016 to suggest he should have enough pace to be effective on the level, certainly in this grade.

Grasmere can get off the mark when stepped up to seven furlongs in the Bet toteplacepot At betfred.com Nursery Handicap.

Alan Bailey’s youngster put in good work at the finish when sixth over six furlongs on this course in her first nursery four weeks ago to suggest the extra furlong will be right up her street.

Top Notch promises to take all the beating in the rearranged Peterborough Chase at Taunton.

The Nicky Henderson-trained sixyear-old has really taken well to fences and if anything still appears to be on the up.

He actually reappeared over hurdles at Aintree, a run which put him nicely right for the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot, where he impressed in pretty much everything he did in slamming Double Shuffle by eight lengths.

Second to Yorkhill at the Cheltenham Festival last season, a return trip for the Ryanair Chase is firmly on the cards but he could even pop up in the King George on Boxing Day should something happen to Bristol De Mai, who runs in the same colours. (111) R Hannon 9-9 ............................. Rossa Ryan (7) (8) J Osborne 9-7 ........................ D Costello (28) A Bailey 9-4 ................................. R Winston (121) M W Easterby 9-3 ............................... T Eaves (15) R Hughes 9-2 ........................... S W Kelly (13) D Elsworth 9-2 ............................... S Levey (15) Ronald Thompson 9-1 .. F Norton (19) J S Moore 9-0 ......................... L Keniry (27) H Spiller 8-13 ............. S Donohoe (28) J Gosden 8-11 ........................ R Havlin (99) A Carson 8-9 ........................................... L Morris BETTING: 9-2 Roseau City, 5 Bezos, 6 Grasmere, 8 Wilfred Owen, Westfield Wonder, Haven’s View, Dashing Dusty, 10 Pammi, 12 Others.

14-1 In touch, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 6l behind Swissal at Chelmsford City 6f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol. 6-1 Chased leaders. ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 9l behind Data Protection at Ffos Las 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug. 33-1 Raced wide towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 7l behind Mossketeer at Chelmsford City 6f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov. 12-1 Raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 7l behind Fire Orchid at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol. 6-1 Slowly away in rear, never a factor, 9th of 11, 9l behind Skyva at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) in Nov.

100-1 Led, steadied pace 5f out, joined halfway, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Diamond Pursuit at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) in Nov. 25-1 Close up, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 21l behind Music Society at Chelmsford City 7f 2yo nov stks (6) pol in Nov. 66-1 Chased leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 10, 11l behind Ortiz at Kempton 6f 2yo nov auc stks (5) pol in Sep.

8-1 Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Four Fifty Three at Chelmsford City 1m 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.

40-1 Close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 11l behind Carp Kid at Lingfield 1m 2yo sell stks (6) pol in Nov.

150-1 Dwelt in rear, outpaced over 2f out, 8th of 9, 13l behind Red Cymbal at Chelmsford City 6f 2yo nov stks (5) pol in Nov. (35)SKirk9-0 ................. MDwyer (59) C Fellowes 9-0 .......................... S Donohoe (15) J S Moore 8-12 ......... Josephine Gordon J S Moore 8-12 ............................................... L Keniry (8) Mrs A Duffield 8-10 ............................ S Gray (15) M Usher 8-10 ..................... Nicola Currie (7) J Santos 8-7 ............................ Oscar Pereira (50) R Eddery 8-5 .......... Darragh Keenan (7) H Morrison 8-5 .................................... K O’Neill BETTING: 11-10 I’m Yer Man, 9-4 Demons And Wizards, 8 Racehorse, 12 Haverland, 16 Lenin, 20 Precious Silk, 25 Pretty Pearl, Little Aub, 33 Boss For A Day.

16-1 In rear, ridden 2f out, headway inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Armed Response at Newcastle 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4). 50-1 Slowly into stride, behind, detached over 2f out, nudged along when not much room over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 8, 2l behind Brigand at Chelmsford City 6f 2yo nov stks (6) pol in Nov. Equiano filly out of Lovely Dream. 33-1 Off the pace in mid-division on rail, plugged on final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 11l behind All Out at Windsor 6f 2yo nov stk (5) gd in Oct. Arakan colt out of Virginia Woolf. Harbour Watch filly out of Fine Silk. 66-1 Slowly into stride, outpaced, 9th of 10, 9l behind Desert Doctor at Kempton 6f 2yo nov stks (5) pol in Nov. 100-1 Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 19l behind Wild Impala at Newmarket 7f Fillies Novice Auction Stakes (2yo) (5) gf in Oct. 100-1 Chased leaders on inside, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 33l behind Ispolini at Kempton 1m 2f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov. SHARP OPERATOR (145) C Wallis 4 9-9 ..................... L Morris — HIDDEN STASH (19) W Stone 3 9-8 (D) ............... Hollie Doyle 55 SIMPLY CLEVER (44) D Brown 4 9-7 ........................... T Eaves 57 GIFT FROM GOD Hugo Froud 4 9-7 ................. Aled Beech (7) — ROYAL RETTIE (16) P Butler 5 9-7 ..................... Danny Brock 53 TASAABOQ (16) P McEntee 6 9-6 ............... Josephine Gordon 52 COOKIE RING (15) Kristin Stubbs 6 9-5 (CD)Faye McManoman (7)53 BOKETTO (6) D Shaw 3 9-5 .................................... P Mathers 47 BLACK TRUFFLE (19) M Usher 7 9-4 (D5) ...... Nicola Currie (7) 54 ENCAPSULATED (27) R Ingram 7 9-4 (C2).. Rhiain Ingram (5) 39 LUTINE CHARLIE (6) Emma Owen 10 9-2 (D2) ......... M Dwyer 47 HARVEST RANGER (53) M Appleby 3 9-2 ........... K Shoemark 16 LUDUAMF (19) R Hannon 3 9-2 ...................... Rossa Ryan (7) 61 CAPTAIN SCOOBY (8) R C Guest 11 9-2 (C) ............... F Norton 56 SWEET PICCOLO (534) P Butler 7 9-2 ............. C Shepherd (3) — BETTING: 7-2 Cookie Ring, 5 Black Truffle, 6 Hidden Stash, 8 Boketto, Tasaaboq, 12 Harvest Ranger, Sharp Operator, 14 Lutine Charlie, Luduamf, Captain Scooby, 20 Others.

7-2fav Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, good headway chasing leaders over 2f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov beating Flying Sakhee by nk, 13 ran. 12-1 Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Loveatfirstsight at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.

11-1 Made most, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Warba by nk, 10 ran. 7-1 Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Ertidaad at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol. 11-2 Dwelt, outpaced, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Kommander Kirkup at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.

8-1 In touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 5th of 12, 18l behind Medici Moon at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Oct.

11-1 Towards rear, ridden and wide 3f out, came stand’s side straight, no impression and kept on one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 16, 13l behind Park Row at Gowran Park 1m 4f Apprentice Handicap (4yo+) in Jul.

20-1 Dwelt in rear, pushed along halfway, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 6l behind Star Cracker at Newcastle 6f hcp (6). 14-1 Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, never a factor, 10th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Loveatfirstsight at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.

14-1 Mid-division, not clear run 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 5l behind Ertidaad at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol. 50-1 Close up, lost place halfway, weakened 3f out, 12th of 13, 25l behind Belgravian at Southwell 1m am hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov. 16-1 Went right start, tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 19l behind Power Home at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks 0-55 (6) in Oct. 25-1 Soon pushed along towards rear, 10th of 11, 6l behind Wild Flower at Lingfield 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov. 33-1 Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 17l behind Protest at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) in Nov ‘16. 100-1 Always in rear, 11th of 12, 17l behind Assertive Agent at Brighton 6f hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Jun ‘16. (301) D M Simcock 6 9-10 (D3) ............ L Keniry (75) C Dore 6 9-10 (D) ........... Josephine Gordon (15) S C Williams 6 9-7 (CD2) ......... Aaron Jones (3) (21) D O’Meara 6 9-7 (C, D) .......... Martin Harley (152) J Noseda 4 9-5 ..................... K Shoemark (15) D O’Meara 6 9-5 (D) .......... T Eaves (42) S Crisford 6 9-5 (D2) .................. R Havlin (131) M Appleby 10 9-0 (C2, D) ...... .......................................................................... A Rawlinson .............. Nicola Currie (7) BETTING: 10-3 Steel Train, 4 Pactolus, 5 Calling Out, 6 Certificate, Abe Lincoln, 10 London, Mythical Madness, 12 Mutawathea, 25 Bancnuanaheireann.

10-11fav Tracked leader, hit 4th, ridden to press leader when not fluent 2 out, not run on, 3rd of 4, 3l behind Mullaghboy at Fakenham 2m Amateur Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-110) (3yo+) (4) gs in Nov.

11-10fav Tracked leader until 6f out, not much room 2f out, 2nd final furlong, edged left and kept on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Unsuspected Girl at Windsor 1m 2f clm stks (6) gs in Oct. 4-1 Prominent, led 6f out, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 5th of 14, 5l behind Mabela at Huntingdon 1m 6f 3yo NH flat (6) gd in Nov. 20-1 Held up, pushed along and dropped to rear 4f out, 10th of 11, 25l behind Miss Mirabeau at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol. Rail Link filly out of Desert Secrets. 20-1 Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 21l behind Wine List at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Oct. 50-1 Keen, chased leaders on outside, pushed along over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 10th of 12, 35l behind Hidden Glen at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.

7-2fav In touch, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, strongly challenged closing stages, held on gamely, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) in Oct beating Maraakib by ns, 14 ran.

10-1 Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Thello at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-75 (5). 9-2 In touch, switched right and headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Carnival King by nk, 12 ran. 13-2 Led 1f, tracked leader until over 3f out, chased leader again over 1f out, pushed along to lead near finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) beating Berlusca by 1/2l, 8 ran. 10-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed when short of room inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Dangerous Ends at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov. 16-1 Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 5, well behind River Icon at Beverley 1m 4f fll mdn stks (5) sft in Sep.

7-1 Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Zoffany Bay at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol. 8-1 Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, faded final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind Ice Royal at Chelmsford City 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol. 8-1 Towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 8, 2l behind Pink Ribbon at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5). 50-1 Always behind, last of 12, 17l behind Pensax Boy at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) in Aug.