Shimmering Dawn looks a good shout for Chelmsford success

SHIMMERING Dawn can book her ticket for Lingfield on Good Friday with victory in the chelmsfordcityracecourse.com Fillies’ Conditions Stakes at the Essex track today.

This seven-furlong contest is a fast-track qualifier for All-Weather Finals Day in April and having hit the bar in a similar heat last time out, trainer James Tate will be hoping Shimmering Dawn can do the business here. The five-year-old was unfortunate to come up against a progressive rival at Wolverhampton, but she hardly helped herself by ducking left at the start.

Shimmering Dawn was perhaps not quite at her best as she was beaten two lengths into second over seven furlongs, but her previous victory in a conditions event over that distance at least shows the trip holds no fears. The conditions of this race give Shimmering Dawn upwards of 14lb advantage with all but exFrench runner Marly, and it will be disappointing if she cannot take the opportunity.

San Juan makes a swift reappearance under a penalty in the Support The Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap.

Shaun Keightley’s charge has rocketed 10lb in the ratings in recent weeks, courtesy of two wins on the Fibresand at Southwell.

He just managed to grab the glory by a head on his first start of 2021 in January before following up in much more impressive style last week, prevailing by six-and-a-half lengths with seemingly plenty in hand.

San Juan has been raised to a mark of 60 following that success, but racing under a penalty he is technically 4lb well in and while it is a quick turnaround, he hardly came out of third gear at the weekend.

Another turning out again swiftly under a penalty is Indigo Times in the following CCR Handicap. He was successful just over a week ago over an extended two miles at Southwell, defying a market drift to take a slight step up in class in his stride and make it four wins in five outings.