Now strike it lucky at Chelmsford

LUCKY Deal can defy top weight in the Weatherbys General Stud Book Handicap at Chelmsford.

Mark Johnston’s stayer has won his last two, most recently a valuable event at this track last month.

That day he showed a really willing, typical Johnston-type attitude to hold off two stablemates, Elegiac and Making Miracles, defying a mark of 89 in the process.

Because he only just scrambled home the handicapper could not overreact and he only carries 2lb more this time, so there is every chance he can bring up the hat-trick.

He appears to have thrived for the step up in trip and a break after a hectic midsummer - and this race is nowhere near as competitive as his previous win.

John Gosden has been running some very promising youngsters in recent weeks and Star Catcher could be another in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.

In the famous Anthony Oppenheimer colours, this Sea The Stars youngster is a half-sister to the classy Cannock Chase, who did so well for Sir Michael Stoute.

Intriguingly Gosden saddles another newcomer, Baltic Song - another by Sea The Stars and closely related to a Group One winner - but Robert Havlin takes the ride on Star Catcher, which looks a significant pointer.

If Ballistic takes to the Fibresand he should be the one to beat in the Ladbrokes Nursery Handicap at Southwell.

Robert Cowell’s juvenile showed up well when last seen at Goodwood in the summer - form which looks good in terms of this event.

He flew home that day behind Don Armado to take third, and if he is fit enough after over 100 days off he should be thereabouts.

The long journey north to Hexham can be made worthwhile for Nicky Henderson’s Champagne Platinum with victory in the Annual Membership Perfect Christmas Gift Novices’ Hurdle.

JP McManus’ four-year-old has already made one lengthy trip to Newcastle, where he obliged on debut at the Fighting Fifth meeting.

The Irish point-to-point winner was never off the bridle when coasting home, although he still has a long way to go to live up to his #250,000 price tag.

Nevertheless, it will be disappointing for connections if he is not up to defying a penalty.

Charlie Longsdon’s Lisdoonvarna Lad has not reached the heights as once might have looked likely, but there is time yet as he is still only six.

He has been set two pretty stiff assignments over fences to date this season, first time against Arkle favourite Kalashnikov and then against subsequent Cheltenham winner Drovers Lane.

There is nothing of their class in the Steve Hoskin Construction Handicap Chase at Exeter and he did finish third in the Grade Two over hurdles at Haydock last season, so there is plenty under the bonnet. WINKLEMANN (12) J Flint 6 11-3............... Miss I Mathias (7) KHAZIX (71) H Dunlop 3 11-3 ...............................Mr S Walker KINGOFMERROWS (20) Mrs K Tutty 4 11-2 ........ Miss A Collier (5) CARIBBEAN SPRING (23) G Margarson 5 11-0 ........... Miss R Margarson (5)

AT YOUR SERVICE (13) P Howling 4 10-13 ..............Miss C Banham (5)

HOLY TIBER (13) P Howling 3 10-12 .........Mr M S Johnson (7) PLUCKY DIP (57) J Ryan 7 10-7 (BF, C, D5) ..........Mr T Miles (7)

MR ANDROS (8) B Powell 5 10-7 (CD) ........ Mr Kai Lenihan (7) COCKNEY BOY (7) M Appleby 5 10-5 .......... Miss S Brotherton TANGASSERI (13) Mrs R Carr 3 10-3 .............Miss E Bullock (5) FREDDY WITH A Y (36) J R Jenkins 8 10-3 (D3) .................. (7) GANNICUS B Powell 7 10-2 ........................Mr N Reynolds (7) MALAYSIAN BOLEH (7) P McEntee 8 10-1 (CD) .............. Mr C J Todd (5)

SIR LANCELOTT (15) A Nicholls 6 10-0 (D) ........... Miss H T Lees (5)

ALL OR NOTHIN (263) P Butler 9 10-0 (CD) ............... Miss M Bryant (5) BETTING: 4 Malaysian Boleh, 9-2 Caribbean Spring, 11-2 Plucky Dip, Sir Lancelott, 10 Khazix, Gannicus, 12 Cockney Boy, 14 Kingofmerrows, 16 Others. CELSIUS (146) Tom Clover 9-2 ................................. J Mitchell — HEATHERDOWN (206) M Bell 9-2 ......................... L Steward — JUST LATER (101) Miss Amy Murphy 9-2 Dayverson De Barros 63 LIEUTENANT CONDE (143) H Morrison 9-2 ........... C Bennett — SAN CARLOS (15) S L Keightley 9-2............................. L Jones 62 AIGIARNE C Cox 8-11 .............................................. H Crouch — CHOCCO STAR (10) P Howling 8-11........................... J Haynes 63 CRIMSON KISS (13) M Bell 8-11 ...........................D Sweeney 59 LOUISIANA BEAT (27) Mike Murphy 8-11 ......... Nicola Currie 28 MISS COMMUNICATE (91) Mrs L Pearce 8-11 ..... E J Walsh (3) — PARKNACILLA (35) H Spiller 8-11 ............................ K O’Neill 40 RED SKYE DELIGHT (13) L McJannet 8-11 ................ R Havlin 62 TWO FACED (91) Mrs L Pearce 8-11 .................... D Keenan (5) — BETTING: 9-4 Just Later, 5-2 Aigiarne, 7 San Carlos, 8 Crimson Kiss, Celsius, 12 Red Skye Delight, 14 Heatherdown, 16 Parknacilla, 25 Others.

14-1 Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd final 100 yards, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Balladeer at Chelmsford City 7f 2yo nov auc stks (4) pol in Sep.

Helmet filly out of Golden Shine. 66-1 In rear, pushed along over 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Total Commitment at Kempton 6f 2yo nov stks (5) pol. 12-1 Pulled hard, in touch, headway to press leaders halfway, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 7l behind Goldino Bello at Newmarket 6f nov med aut stk (4) gd in Jul.

20-1 Mid-division on outside, soon pushed along, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never able to challenge, 9th of 13, 7l behind

Airwaves at Kempton 7f 2yo nov stks (6) pol. 50-1 Mid-division, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders, 7th of 13, 6l behind Airwaves at Kempton 7f 2yo nov stks (6) pol.

20-1 Steadied start, held up off the pace in last pair, never a factor, 10th of 11, 20l behind Urban Icon at Windsor 6f nov aut stk (5) gd in May.

20-1 Raced wide in touch, headway to track leaders 8f out, led 3f out, quickened clear over 1f out, comfortable, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Sbraase by 9l, 9 ran. 7-2 Prominent, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Amitie Waltz at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov. 9-4 Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages, won at Redcar 1m 2f claim (6) gf in Jul beating Jacbequick by nk, 7 ran.

6-1 Set strong pace, headed over 1f out, faded, 5th of 11, 7l behind Lexington Law at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.

9-2 Hampered and dropped to rear leaving stalls, switched to outer and headway to lead after 3f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 36l behind Country’n’western at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs. 33-1 Slowly into stride, mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 13l behind Lexington Law at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol. CHAMPAGNE RULES (10) Mrs S Watt 7 9-7 .... Phil Dennis (3) 63 BOOTS AND SPURS (9) S Dixon 9 9-5 (CD2) ............ T Ladd (5) 59 LIMERICK LORD (23) Miss J Feilden 6 9-4 (BF, CD2) ...S Birkett 58 QUITE SUBUNCTIOUS (88) K H Clarke (IRE) 3 9-3 .....L Morris — MOLTEN LAVA (23) S Gollings 6 9-2 (D3) ................... R Havlin 63 KAVORA (41) M Hammond 3 9-0 ............... Lauren Steade (7) 63 SONG OF SUMMER (35) I Jardine 3 8-13 ..... Russell Harris (7) 50 GOLDEN GUIDE (9) K Burke 3 8-12 ..............Rhona Pindar (7) 73 IT’S HOW WE ROLL (36) J Spearing 4 8-12 ......Jane Elliott (3) 57 OUR MANEKINEKO (29) S M Hanlon 8 8-12 (D6) ............G Peter Brouder (7) 61 MASTER OF SONG (231) S Bowring 11 8-12 (CD3) ..... L Keniry 35 ABERDONIAN (41) Suzzanne France 4 8-12 ........... N Mackay 47 EJABAH (80) C Smith 4 8-12............................... N Garbutt (3) — DEAUVILLE SOCIET Y (66) T G McCourt (IRE) 3 8-11 . S W Kelly 25 BETTING: 4 Limerick Lord, 5 Champagne Rules, 6 Molten Lava, 8 Deauville Society, Boots And Spurs, 10 Our Manekineko, Kavora, 12 Quite Subunctious, It’s How We Roll, 14 Others. LUATH (203) Suzzanne France 5 9-7 (CD) ................. N Mackay 56 CANDESTA (52) Miss J Feilden 8 9-7 (CD) .................. H Crouch 63 COTTINGHAM (12) Kevin Frost 3 9-6 .........................L Morris 49 LITTLE CHOOSEY (23) S Bowring 8 9-4 (D2) ........... R Winston 59 THREE MA JORS (13) Anthony McCann (IRE) 5 9-3 (D2) S W Kelly 59 HARLEQUIN DANCER (35) L Mullaney 3 9-2 ............ C Hardie 65 HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN T G McCourt (IRE) 3 9-0 ........ L Keniry 15 CATAPULT (42) C Lines 3 9-0 ............................... Hollie Doyle 27 JENNIES GEM (15) O Pears 5 8-13............... Ben Robinson (3) 61 AFRICAN SHOWGIRL (35) I Furtado 5 8-13 (D2) G Malune (5) 37 QUICK MONET (15) S A Harris 5 8-13 ..................... C Bennett 53 EMILENE (6) Grace Harris 4 8-13 ...................................J Fahy 47 GENERAL TUFTO (20) C Smith 13 8-13 (CD13).... N Garbutt (3) 50 INVINSIBLE (27) K H Clarke (IRE) 3 8-12 ............... S Donohoe 43 BETTING: 9-2 Three Majors, 5 Cottingham, 6 Luath, 7 Jennies Gem, 8 Candesta, 10 African Showgirl, 12 Emilene, 14 Highway To Heaven, Little Choosey, 16 Others.

Sea The Stars filly out of Lynnwood Chase.

Sea The Stars colt out of Born Wild. 3-1 Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 11, 4l behind Dark Lochnagar at Redcar 1m 1f 2yo nov stk (5) sft in Oct.

11-2fav Mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Queen Constantine at Nottingham 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Nov. 25-1 Held up mid-division and keen, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Lady Adelaide at Kempton 1m Fillies Novice Stakes (2yo) (5) pol in Nov. Australia colt out of Cable.

11-1 Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, 7th of 10, 7l behind Sucellus at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo nov stks (5). Mamool colt out of Palace Secret. 33-1 Always towards rear, 9th of 11, 12l behind New King at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo nov stks (5). 80-1 Mid-division, driven and effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 11l behind Clematis at Kempton 1m 2yo nov stks (5) pol in Nov. 33-1 Soon last, not much room over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 9, 13l behind Ideological at Kempton 1m 2yo nov auc stks (6) pol in Oct. 50-1 Dwelt, always behind, 11th of 13, 18l behind Tauteke at Chelmsford City 1m 2yo nov stks (3) pol in Nov. (26) Mrs P Sly 4 9-7 ................................ A Kirby

(17) P D’Arcy 5 9-6 .............................T Clark (3)

(14) M Botti 3 9-3 ...........................................L Morris

(28) M Botti 3 9-2 .............. G Malune (5)

(20) Miss G Kelleway 3 9-0 (BF) ........ J Gordon

(15) D M Simcock 3 8-13 (C) ............... G Bass (7)

(21) W Haggas 3 8-13 (BF, D) ...... G Sanna (7)

(43) J Gallagher 5 8-12 (CD) .............D Sweeney

(8) David Loughnane 3 8-7 (C) .............. Nicola Currie

(12) M Bosley 5 8-7 (D)............................. C Bennett

(112) Miss J Feilden 3 8-6 (D)........... S Birkett BETTING: 5 Ruby Gates, 11-2 Zafaranah, Hic Bibi, 6 Yusra, 13-2 Sweet Nature, 7 Elenora Delight, 8 Spanish Mane, Lady Alavesa, 16 Others.

Wootton Bassett gelding out of Matin De Tempete. 7-1 Led and soon 3 lengths clear, ridden over 1f out, caught post, 2nd of 9, ns behind The Right Choice at Southwell 6f clm stks (5) fbs. 40-1 Led, clear with one other halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, still every chance entering final furlong, one pace and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 5l behind Showboating at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs. 20-1 In touch, headway to press leaders halfway, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Fink Hill at Southwell 5f nov stk (5) fbs in Nov. 20-1 Pushed along towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 13, 7l behind Honey Gg at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.

33-1 Chased leaders, ridden inside final 2f, weakened soon after, last of 9, 6l behind May Remain at Goodwood 5f nov auc stks 2yo (5) gd in May ‘17. (139) R Cowell 9-7 .................................R Da Silva — (116) Richard Spencer 9-5 .............C Bishop 65

(152) C Wallis 9-4 ............... R Winston — (23) M Appleby 9-2 (BF, CD) ...............D Costello 60

(28) R Fahey 9-1 (D)...................... B McHugh 68 (72) Ronald Thompson 8-11 ........................G Lee 25 (7) P McEntee 8-8 (D) ................. Nicola Currie 73

(2) S Dixon 8-0 ........... Hollie Doyle 40 BETTING: 2 Ballistic, 5-2 Lads Order, 7 White Iverson, 8 Temple of Wonder, 10 Posh Perfect, 12 Valley Belle, Dothraki, 14 Champagne Mondays.

33-1 Soon outpaced towards rear, switched left and headway on near side rail under pressure over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, nearest finish, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Don Armado at Goodwood 6f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug. 11-10fav Led, joined after 1f, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 4th of 5, 4l behind Times Past at Southwell 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov. 16-1 Keen in touch, headway over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 7l behind Autumn Splendour at Yarmouth 6f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug. 6-1 Stumbled start, led after 1f, headed over 3f out, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 6l behind Barend Boy at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp (5) gf in Jul. 40-1 Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 2l behind Shining Armor at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) in Nov.

11-2 In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 14, 15l behind Fighting Spirit at Newcastle 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) in Oct.

14-1 Mid-division on outside, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 9l behind Rusper Dreams at Chelmsford City 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol. 12-1 Led until headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 7l behind House Deposit at Redcar 6f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct. (7) K Dalgleish 3 9-10 (C, D) ....... C Rodriguez 72 (28) J Portman 3 9-7 (D4) ..........R Hornby 86 (75) C Wallis 5 9-6 (D2) ........................ A Kirby 78 (21) M Appleby 3 9-5 (D) ............................L Morris 74

(14) A Watson 3 9-4 (BF, D) .. E Greatrex 84 (13) C Allen 3 9-3 (BF, CD) .............................. M Dwyer 87

(28) C Cox 3 9-2 (D2)............................ H Crouch 83 (12) Mrs R Carr 4 9-2 (D) .......................J P Sullivan 87 (22) A Carson 4 8-12 (CD) ............................ R Havlin 81 (126) I Williams 4 8-11 (BF, D2) ........ C Shepherd — (28) S C Williams 3 8-9 (CD) .............. F Norton 84 (16) D Ivory 4 8-7 (CD) ............................ K O’Neill 84 BETTING: 9-2 Chookie Dunedin, 5 Walk On Walter, 6 Choice Encounter, 13-2 Wotadoll, 7 Busby, 10 Lethal Angel, Katheefa, 12 Moon Song, King Robert, 14 Others. LEGAL MIND (59) Emma Owen 5 9-7 .......................... A Kirby 53 DISTANT APPLAUSE (107) D F Davis 3 9-7 ...........D Sweeney 35 TASAABOQ (7) P McEntee 7 9-6 (D4) .......................... D Brock 47 CAPTAIN RYAN (14) G Deacon 7 9-5 (D2) ........... Nicola Currie 55 SLIPALONGTREVASKIS (7) P Howling 5 9-5 ............J Haynes 57 MOREMONEYMOREPARTY (14) S L Keightley 3 9-5 .. L Jones 56 COMPTON PRINCE (5) J Bradley 9 9-3 (CD) ................L Morris 49 NUZHA (20) A Newcombe 4 9-2 ........................... E J Walsh (3) 41 SHAMROCK EMMA (35) G L Moore 3 9-2 ................. H Crouch 52 PRANCEABOOTTHETOON (34) J Bradley 3 9-2 (D) ...... K Raybould (7) 57 ONLY TEN PER CENT (320) J R Jenkins 10 9-2 (D3) ............A Rawlinson — ARGON (38) N Wilson 3 9-2 ..................... Darragh Keenan (5) 62 BARNSDALE (17) Steph Hollinshead 5 9-2 Megan Ellingworth (7)31 SECRET ASSET (57) Mrs L Williamson 13 9-2 (C, D2) ..R Hornby 44 BETTING: 10-3 Slipalongtrevaskis, 7-2 Moremoneymoreparty, 11-2 Compton Prince, 15-2 Distant Applause, 8 Legal Mind, 10 Secret Asset, 12 Captain Ryan, 14 Tasaaboq, 20 Others. (9) D C Griffiths 5 9-9 (CD4) ....... Phil Dennis (3) 62 (15) M Dods 5 9-7 (D5) ................. C Rodriguez 66 (16) J Santos 3 9-6 ......................Aaron Mackay (7) 64

(9) S Bowring 4 9-6 ..................... L Keniry 62 (9) M Walford 5 9-5 (D) ...........................L Morris 64 (9) C Wallis 11 9-5 (CD2) ................. Hollie Doyle 64 (171) Suzi Best 9 9-3 (D6) ............ E J Walsh (3) — (20) Ronald Thompson 3 9-0............... G Lee 82 (100) J Mackie 3 8-12 ........ B McHugh — (23) S Dixon 3 8-9 (D) ........... T Ladd (5) 43 (20) Anthony McCann (IRE) 4 8-9 ................... S W Kelly 67 (231) D Shaw 4 8-9..................... P Mathers 47

(9) Suzzanne France 3 8-9 ..N Mackay 62 BETTING: 4 Divine Call, 5 Archimedes, 11-2 Mininggold, 6 Carlovian, 7 Decision Maker, Furni Factors, 14 Mountain Of Stars, 16 Hisar, Formiga, 20 Others.

(20) S Bowring 6 9-9 (BF, CD3)............ R Winston

(29) Richard Spencer 3 9-7 (C)................... C Bishop

(42) M Usher 3 9-6 (BF, D) ........... E Mackenzie (7)

(38) Julia Brooke 7 9-5 (C6, D) ........................ N Evans

(20) R Thompson 4 9-3 (D3) ........ C Rodriguez

(34) Anthony McCann (IRE) 3 8-11 .............. S W Kelly

(23) J Wainwright 6 8-7 (CD) ....J P Sullivan

(20) S Dixon 7 8-7 (CD3) .............. P Mathers

(9) S Dixon 12 8-7 (CD4) .................. N Mackay BETTING: 9-4 First Excel, 9-2 Piazon, 6 Dreamboat Annie, 7 Ticks The Boxes, Fink Hill, 8 Mr Strutter, 12 Tell Me, 14 Coiste Bodhar, 20 Sir Geoffrey.

15-8fav Led, pushed along and edged left over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Kommander Kirkup at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov. 8-1 In touch, headway halfway, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov beating Honey Gg by 1/2l, 14 ran.

3-1fav Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take narrow 2nd towards finish, no impression with winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Tundra at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov. 12-1 Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 3l behind Our Man In Havana at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) in Nov.

13-2 Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Jazz Legend at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Nov. 7-1 Went right start, led until over 2f out, remained prominent, every chance over 1f out, 4th and one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Etikaal at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) in Nov.