Abel Tasman is ready and able to raise his game at Chelmsford
– Abel Tasman has proved remarkably consistent this term - and his game attitude can again be rewarded at Chelmsford today.
The four-year-old has run 10 times this year and while he has only won once the bare figures do not really do him justice as he has been placed on a further six occasions.
Abel Tasman was last seen finishing a fair fourth to Master Carpenter at Goodwood last month, when the slight ease in the ground perhaps did not totally play in his favour.
Nevertheless, he was game enough in defeat and the handicapper has seen fit to drop him 0.5kg in the ratings following that defeat.
Ed Walker’s runner remains on a career-high perch of 77, but
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can be relied upon to put his best foot forward again as he drops back slightly in trip for the Bet In Play At totesport.com Handicap.
Red October can make it third time lucky in the totepool Cashback Club At totesport.com EBF Novice Stakes.
The Dawn Approach colt was not the sharpest away in either of his starts to date but kept on well, offering plenty of hope for further improvement.
Those two outings should have got his mind properly on the job, and trainer Hugo Palmer will surely be hoping for victory this time.
Fragant Dawn is another youngster who posted an encouraging debut and is the pick in the Extra Places At totesport.com Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
She finished to good effect at Newmarket but was beaten 0.50 lengths at the line.
Robin Weathers is expected to shine in the first division of the Irish Lotto At totesport.com Handicap.
Formerly trained by Julia Feilden, he was bought by Eve Johnson Houghton for 45,000 guineas back in July and has rewarded that faith with a couple of placed runs so far.
He made late headway from off the pace over 1600m last month and is interesting dropped back to his previous winning distance of 1400m.
Delire D’Estruval sets off in a new direction at Carlisle and cannot be ignored in the racinguk. com Beginners’ Chase.
A Listed winner over hurdles last term, he impressed with another nine-length victory at Towcester before heading to the Cheltenham Festival.
He made little impact on the big day, though, and was thoroughly lacklustre on his final start - suggesting that the Festival challenge had been a bit too much.
Delire D’Estruval has always looked the type to make into a Chelmsford (UK) Thur Race 1 @ 18:15 nice chaser, though, and his time now comes.
That comment also applies to Early Retirement, who contests the toals.com Chase at Southwell.
He won a couple of times over hurdles, but Caroline Bailey’s team were clear that anything over the smaller obstacles was just a bonus - with chasing expected to be very much his game in due course.
A trip of 4800m could turn out to be ideal for him, so it was little surprise he could not come home in front over 800m less at Huntingdon back in May.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Amour De Nuit made an impressive start to his career, over fences at Kempton in May and can follow up on his return to action in the KLF Insurance Brokers Chase at Ludlow. –