February 22 / 15.05 Chelmsford (AW)

15.05

Standard

chelmsfordcityracecourse.com Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 6
  • 9 runners
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chelmsfordcityracecourse.com Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Wind and rain

OUR TIP

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.30
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 974-63 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Six career wins include one over this trip (at Southwell) and despite a bad start and taking a good hold, he was only beaten half a length into third of nine here (1m5f) last month; solid chance off same mark in returning tongue-tie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(2)

10th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 179y

Class 5

15:30 Leicester

Liberated Lad

9st 11lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: B F Brookhouse

Versatile trip-wise, he ran well when third of 11 at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) in June but was a shade disappointing when fourth at Doncaster (14.5f, good) last month when longer trip was expected to suit; still not out of this if putting his best foot forward.

11/2

4th

1

(4)

10th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 6

13:30 Doncaster

Liberated Lad

11st 2lb

J: Mr Bradley Furniss

T: B F Brookhouse

Multiple winner and a versatile sort trip-wise; shaped as though coming to hand over 1m2f (under Bradley Furniss) at Newbury last time, a race that threw up several winners, and won't mind the step back up in distance; seems to handle most ground and is a player.

8/1

3rd

9

(10)

12th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Newbury

Liberated Lad

10st 10lb

J: Mr Bradley Furniss

T: B F Brookhouse

Four wins last year (1m2f-1m6f, including on turf) and this versatile sort was back on the scoresheet at Newcastle (2m, AW) in January; fair efforts on last two starts (1m/1m6f) and he might not be far away.

20/1

4/6

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 0084-2

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Has improved as he has gone up in trip with cheekpieces applied; was returning from nine months off when going down by a short head at Wolverhampton (1m4f, Tapeta) 19 days ago; still unexposed and high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(12)

30th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

18:20 Catterick

Stolen Encounter

9st 3lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Archie Watson

Yet to win a race but was placed in five of his six races on the AW this year, the latest when third over 1m6f at Wolverhampton last month; first run on turf.

13/2

10th

8

(12)

30th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

18:20 Catterick

Stolen Encounter

9st 3lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Archie Watson

Yet to win a race but was placed in five of his six races on the AW this year, the latest when third over 1m6f at Wolverhampton last month; first run on turf.

13/2

3rd

3

(4)

4th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Stolen Encounter

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Placed on first four starts this year, including third to Black Smoke (runs in first division) over C&D last month; more to his latest 2m Southwell flop than simply lack of stamina but his overall record provides hope he can bounce back.

6/1

Form: 87-223 C BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Sole success in 19 starts came here (1m2f) a year ago, but in the frame on 11 occasions and placed in last three starts on Polytrack (1m5f-2m) since the visor went on; another big run likely; stable also runs Good Time Ahead.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(11)

25th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:22 Lingfield (AW)

Foinix

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Runner-up at Brighton (1m4f, soft) last September but he's been out of sorts under both codes since including a remote fifth over hurdles at Plumpton last week; blinkers now return but he's 1-30 on AW and has plenty to prove back on the Flat.

14/1

5th

6

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 5

15:15 Plumpton

Foinix

10st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Modest Flat handicapper; tailed off all three starts over hurdles, the latest in a C&D maiden (good; 250-1) last November; only eighth of ten at Southwell (1m3f AW) in January; handicap hurdle debut.

16/1

5th

3

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

14:10 Plumpton

Foinix

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Four-time Flat winner, most recently off lowly mark at Brighton (1m4f, good to firm) this summer, but always behind on recent hurdling debut at Fontwell (2m1f, good).

33/1

Form: 084-87 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles in November but no Flat success since July 2018; 5lb lower than when fourth of nine at Wolverhampton (16.5f, Tapeta) in December, but well held in three starts (AW/hurdles) since; others more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

22nd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:05 Chelmsford (AW)

Good Time Ahead

9st 3lb

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Won over hurdles in November but no Flat success since July 2018; 5lb lower than when fourth of nine at Wolverhampton (16.5f, Tapeta) in December, but well held in three starts (AW/hurdles) since; others more solid.

20/1

3rd

1

16th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

13:40 Fakenham

Good Time Ahead

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Jim & Suzi Best

midfield, not fluent and lost position 5th, ridden after 4 out, went modest third from 2 out

6/4

7th

5

18th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 5f 66y

Class 6

13:20 Chelmsford (AW)

Good Time Ahead

9st 5lb

T: Jim & Suzi Best

His AW wins were all in 2017; won twice over hurdles in 2023 and penultimate start (Wolverhampton 2m) showed all is not lost on AW, but he ran poorly (14-1; made most) with blinkers reinstated over C&D one week ago behind two of today's rivals; others look a bit more solid.

16/1

Form: 526-70

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Best form so far on Tapeta including all four wins, but has generally been disappointing since returning from eight months off in December and failed to beat a rival at Southwell (1m3f) last time; down in grade but enough to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:05 Chelmsford (AW)

Scarborough Castle

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: David Simcock

Best form so far on Tapeta including all four wins, but has generally been disappointing since returning from eight months off in December and failed to beat a rival at Southwell (1m3f) last time; down in grade but enough to prove.

11/1

2

(3)

30th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Scarborough Castle

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Simcock

Four wins on Tapeta including twice over 1m4f here; back off his last winning mark, but needs to better his two efforts since returning from a lengthy absence last month.

8/1

7th

3

(7)

11th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

15:50 Southwell (AW)

Scarborough Castle

9st 7lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Simcock

Only 1lb higher than for his 1m4f win here last March; low-key return to action (after 232 days off) at Lingfield four weeks ago but he took a good step forward with his reappearance behind him last winter and the same is quite possible here; each-way claims.

11/2

66/1

Form: 627-98

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 44

Form & Verdict
Beaten a neck at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) last August, but just 1-30 and both efforts since returning for this yard last month have been poor; look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(4)

5th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Buford

9st 0lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Lisa Williamson

1-31 and poor in all three starts since returning from five months off in January; easily passed over.

50/1

6th

9

22nd Feb 2024

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:05 Chelmsford (AW)

Buford

8st 13lb

T: Lisa Williamson

Beaten a neck at Wolverhampton (1m6f, Tapeta) last August, but just 1-30 and both efforts since returning for this yard last month have been poor; look elsewhere.

66/1

8th

10

18th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 5f 66y

Class 6

13:20 Chelmsford (AW)

Buford

9st 0lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Lisa Williamson

1-29, the sole win in 2021; had quite a few minor honours last year, including a close second over 1m6f at Wolverhampton in August off today's mark, but this month's first run for a new yard was a heavy defeat.

25/1

Form: 908/5

Last run: 37 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Worcester

Midnight Shimmer

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

0-8 on the Flat; placed off basement marks on consecutive 1m6f AW starts in February/March and has winning jumpers in his pedigree but will need to take very well to hurdling to pose a threat here.

33/1

6th

6

(3)

4th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Midnight Shimmer

9st 0lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Neil Mulholland

Low-mileage 6yo who was placed over C&D before going close over this trip at Southwell; disappointing when stepped up 2m back at Southwell latest but he's a contender on his 1m6f form; fitted with first-time cheekpieces.

8/1

6th

6

(3)

4th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

17:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Midnight Shimmer

9st 0lb

J: Liam Keniry

T: Neil Mulholland

prominent, led after 1f

8/1

Form: 90-867

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(10)

1st Jul 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Princess Nieve

8st 11lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Patrick Morris

1m2f AW winner for George Boughey last January but she's struggled for current yard including at 2m and 1m3f on Tapeta in last two runs; mark has bottomed out now and she makes no appeal.

40/1

8th

14

(5)

31st Mar 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

13:30 Southwell (AW)

Princess Nieve

8st 7lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Patrick Morris

Won a classified at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) for George Boughey in January 2023; not much to shout about from last April onwards.

66/1

Form: 05-218 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 0st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(4)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Taxiing

9st 6lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: David Evans

C&D win off 2lb higher in May; more recent efforts haven't been her best but getting back on AW may help, as could a change of headgear.

6/1

10th

6

(7)

14th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

15:55 Bath

Taxiing

9st 11lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: David Evans

Both wins on AW (1m6f and 2m) but she acts on turf and is closely matched with Hawk Jet on a recent Salisbury run (1m6f); has possibilities but could probably do with the ground drying out.

10/1

4th

2

30th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 6

19:43 Salisbury

Taxiing

9st 9lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: David Evans

Both wins on AW, off 1lb lower; ran creditably on turf at Lingfield (2m) in June but subsequent efforts leave something to be desired; not the percentage call.

16/1

Non-runners

Drill To Dream

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.80
Straight Forecast £9.22
Trifecta £21.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Stolen Encounter

POSTDATA:

Foinix

RP RATINGS:

Liberated Lad

The Times:

Stolen Encounter

Telegraph:

Stolen Encounter

The Guardian:

Stolen Encounter

D Express:

Stolen Encounter

Daily Mirror:

Stolen Encounter

The Sun:

Stolen Encounter

Daily Mail:

Foinix

The Star:

Foinix

Daily Record:

Foinix

NEWMARKET:

Liberated Lad