December 15 / 20.30 Chelmsford (AW)

20.30

Standard

Merry Christmas From All At CCR Handicap

  • Prize money: £5076
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Merry Christmas From All At CCR Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

Abandoned

Form: 248197 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who ended a lengthy losing run at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta; 4-1) in September but he's been well held there in both subsequent runs; only 2lb higher than for last success but he needs to bounce back again on this step back up in trip; blinkers (last used seven starts ago) are reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(4)

15th Aug 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Old News

10st 0lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Linda Stubbs

Exposed performer who hasn't been at his best since winning over 7f here last September (has won over 1m); tongue tied for the first time.

20/1

10th

2

(12)

21st Jun 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:20 Newcastle (AW)

Old News

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Linda Stubbs

midfield

7/1

4th

2

(4)

2nd May 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

17:30 Yarmouth

Old News

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Linda Stubbs

Capable of better form than he's been showing of late and was only eighth at Newcastle last time on a track he runs well.

4/1

Abandoned

Form: 386700

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Well treated on his best form on turf and Polytrack this year but down the field in last five runs and now 0-23 since his debut win in August 2020; others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(6)

12th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Roman Dynasty

9st 6lb

J: David Probert

T: Joseph Parr

dwelt start, midfield

7/1

Abandoned

Form: 268895 CD BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Attracted support for the first time for new connections at Wolverhampton 19 days ago and he didn't have much luck in finishing a 2l fifth of 11; all eight of his wins have come in blinkers which now return and this dual C&D winner is an interesting contender back at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(10)

1st Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

13:59 Gowran Park

Brains

10st 2lb

J: Shay Wallace

T: R Donohoe

Veteran has shaped very nicely the last twice at Leopardstown (7f, yld-sft) and Roscommon (7.5f, good); close third off 3lb higher over C&D last summer; big chance with the step back up to 1m sure to suit.

11/4

2nd

2

(5)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 111y

17:23 Roscommon

Brains

9st 12lb

J: Shane Foley

T: R Donohoe

Veteran won over C&D at this meeting two years ago; ran well under Foley, successful on him the only other time he rode him, on seasonal debut at Leopardstown.

4/1

Form: 172147 C BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Triple 7f winner including twice at this track but he didn't live up to market expectations here (7f; 4-1 favourite) last month on his second run after a break; bit to prove after that and his last run at this trip was almost two years ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(8)

13th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Legende DArt

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Henry Spiller

midfield, switched right and headway over 1f out, no extra final furlong

6/1

6th

4

(1)

21st Dec 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Legende DArt

9st 7lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Henry Spiller

Dual 7f course winner; yet to win over this trip but has been placed over C&D; back on a handy mark, as shown when he was just held here (7f) latest; up 1lb; not ruled out.

5/1

2nd

1

(6)

7th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Legende DArt

9st 11lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Henry Spiller

Back on a good mark and it was his third run after a long absence when a closing third over this far (best trip) here a month ago; dropped into a Class 6 now and his turn could be near.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 103622 BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Got up late on over 7f at Newcastle on seasonal/handicap debut in September; five runs since and kicked on again when runner-up over 1m on last two starts; made a bold bid when a clear second off this mark at Southwell last week and she's a major player again back on Polytrack.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

9th Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:25 Kempton (AW)

Wadacre Grace

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charlie Johnston

C&D scorer but she came in a below-par fifth of 12 in 9.5f Wolverhampton handicap 16 days ago; she could bounce back though with Oisin Murphy now up.

4/1

8

(13)

23rd Jun 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

15:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wadacre Grace

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Handy sort who has gained all six wins over 7f/1m on the AW; back off her last winning mark and probably needed her Kempton return 12 days ago after 405 days off, but she will need plenty to go right from the outside stall.

12/1

12

(8)

11th Jun 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Wadacre Grace

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Charlie Johnston

All six wins have been on AW including over C&D; only 1lb higher than for her last success but she returns after 405 days off and this is competitive on her comeback; down the list.

20/1

Form: 696698 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Two 1m AW wins when trained by Andrew Balding but he's not finished closer than sixth in his five runs for current yard; goes back up in trip 9lb lower than for last success but he needs to find more with visor now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(1)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

13:30 Lingfield (AW)

Nasim

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Mark Pattinson

Has won his last two races, the latest over this C&D in August by 3l; interesting off this 4lb higher mark.

4/1

3

(6)

26th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Lingfield (AW)

Nasim

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Mark Pattinson

Triple AW winner (including here) who was on a long losing run until popping up in a Windsor classified (1m2f, good) three weeks ago; had previously looked a little unlucky when second in a similar event over C&D in March; chance.

6/1

4

(7)

4th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:20 Windsor

Nasim

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Mark Pattinson

Triple AW scorer but is on a long losing sequence; modest fourth in classified contest at Windsor (11.5f) when last seen seven weeks ago, taking turf record to 0-12.

11/2

Abandoned

Form: 245424 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
His sole win from 14 starts was on heavy ground last summer but he went very close over C&D in October and was a creditable fourth at Lingfield (1m, Polytrack) last time; goes back up in grade but has possibilities, particularly if she gets a good pace to aim at.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(1)

2nd Apr 2025

Yielding

1m 1f 130y

18:45 Gowran Park

Deep Sigh

10st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

never better than midfield

10/1

9th

4

(1)

2nd Apr 2025

Yielding

1m 1f 130y

18:45 Gowran Park

Deep Sigh

10st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

never better than midfield

10/1

13th

14

17th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

15:02 Down Royal

Deep Sigh

10st 13lb

J: P J O’Hanlon

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

raced in second

20/1

Verdict

Top of the list is the Johnston-trained WADACRE GRACE (nap), who has found more progress over 1m in her last two runs, including a close call off the same mark at Southwell last week. The main threat could come from six-time Polytrack winner Brains, who is on a dangerous mark and didn’t get much luck when favourite at Wolverhampton last time. The other one on the shortlist is Deep Sigh, who had a near-miss over C&D on her penultimate run.[David Moon]

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Legende D'Art

RP Ratings:

Brains

SPOTLIGHT:

Wadacre Grace

Telegraph:

Nasim

Daily Mirror:

Wadacre Grace

Daily Record:

Wadacre Grace

The Sun:

Nasim

The Times:

Legende D'Art

Daily Mail:

Legende D'Art

D Express:

Legende D'Art

POSTDATA:

Brains

The Guardian:

Brains

The Star:

Brains