Regular looks perfect fit for all-weather bid

TIPS: Bell’s juvenile can get off mark after encouraging efforts in first two outings

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 something on the Newmarket gallops, and while he came up a little short, he ran a seriously encouraging race to finish a close-up second.

Regular made his second appearance at Doncaster almost three weeks later and ran respectably to finish fifth, 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 MATTERHORN 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.

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.

HUNTINGDON: 1.10 Ferrobin, 1.40 Strong Resemblance, 2.10 Banditry, 2.40 Azure Fly, 3.10 Kingston, 3.40 Cascova.

DOUBLE: Regular and Matterhorn.