Yesterday’s Review
0.75pt e/way Elyabri (107) – A solid enough performance from the selection who went down by a length and a half at the finish. He was quite sluggish from the stalls, and a quicker exit could have seen him go much closer. Violent Justice (109) was a surprise 25/1 winner whose best form has come at Jebel Ali. Result 3rd 6/1, 11/2 adv…3/1 SP.
Today’s Advice
Tradesman (14f Hcap) – This six-year-old was selected by this column when finishing runner-up to Kyle Of Lochalsh back in November 2023, and the exploits of the winner have given that piece of course and distance form a solid look to it with the winner now rated two stone higher in the handicap. The selection has switched mainly to racing on the Tapeta at Southwell since, and while he has gone close the three times he has tried it there, his four career victories have come at today’s venue. He returned from a 179 day break last month, and was well beaten over course and distance, before blowing the start last time out and going down by a length to Nibiru over the extended two miles. As with a lot of these staying races there can be little pace on offer, and we will be hoping prominent racer Delta Legend takes up that role for today’s (1.30) Chelmsford. Likely favourite Carlton attempts to land a four-timer in thirty days for trainer James Owen, and at the prices I am happy to let him win. Hayley Turner has won three times on the selection and hopefully he breaks a bit better today from the stalls. Sullivan Bay looks another interesting rival as he is weighted to turn around form with the favourite from their battle last month over course and distance. I would be a little concerned about his desire to put his head down at the finish though despite the addition of the visor recently.
Hat Toss (8f Hcap) – The (2.40) Chelmsford looks a difficult to puzzle to solve with sixteen contestants going to post at the time of writing. The selection was behind a few of today’s rivals when last seen over the extended seven furlongs on Tapeta at Wolverhampton over the Christmas. However, his effort over course and distance when just holding off the fast finishing Helm Rock looks a decent piece of form back over today’s course and distance. That day he raced keenly in rear before making headway three furlongs out and putting his head in front near the finish. He backed that effort up on polytrack next time out just going down by a neck to Bravo Zulu (who has won again since). It may well be that he is a better animal on today’s surface, and he looks a bit of value in the market when we look at him from that angle alone. We will be hoping for a decent pace to aim at from Silent Move and Revolutionise (who wears first time eye-shields).
Visibility (8f 142y Hcap) – It has been a quiet winter for this eight-year-old with just one win back in October from his last seven races. Last time out over the extended nine furlongs in dense fog he was spotted having every chance at the business end of the race before weakening near the finish behind one of today’s rivals Finn Russell. He should appreciate the drop back to the mile for tonight’s (8.30) Wolverhampton. The form of that race looks strong on the clock, and while the favourite Jersey Rocs has been winning nicely since the application of blinkers for trainer Charles Hills, the selection looks a value alternative at the prices on offer.
Tradesman (0.75pt e/way 5/1 General) 1.30 Chelmsford
Hat Toss (0.75pt e/way 11/1 William Hill/Coral/Ladbrokes 5 places) 2.40 Chelmsford
Visibility (0.5pt e/way 18/1 General) 8.30 Wolverhampton