December 14 / 20.00 Chelmsford (AW)

20.00

Standard

Chelmsford City Racecourse Membership Handicap

  • Prize money: £12885
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Chelmsford City Racecourse Membership Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.50
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 232109 CD

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Three AW wins, including C&D, and his Lingfield win on Good Friday off 3lb lower suggested this mark shouldn't be beyond him; absent since a poor run here in June; betting instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(1)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Leicester

Diderot

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

AW wins at 1m and 1m2f and he's 0-8 on turf; refused to race on second run back from an absence and, following his fading fifth at Redcar (1m2f) recently, a further drop in the weights could be in order; at least this is a drop in grade, though.

16/1

5th

6

(2)

30th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 3

16:30 Redcar

Diderot

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Not the force of old on AW and he refused to race at Lingfield in February; made it 0-7 on turf when 5l sixth of nine here (1m, good to firm) last Monday but that wasn't devoid of promise as he was denied a clear run and kept on pretty nicely; he's not ruled out each-way back up in trip.

16/1

6th

8

(1)

20th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:42 Redcar

Diderot

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Very well handicapped on AW form up to 2024 but inferior on turf (0-6); down the field in January (7f, AW) following an absence and refused to race in February; arrives with plenty to prove.

25/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 669735 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Back to the same mark off which he was successful in this race 12 months ago; retains ability but he will need to raise his game a notch if he's to come out on top.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(4)

23rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Excel Power

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

prominent

14/1

8th

2

(7)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ripon

Excel Power

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Not won on turf since Windsor success in May 2022 (1m, good to firm); has won on AW since; back on a good mark, fair fourth at Windsor last time (1m, good to firm) so could go well.

10/1

9/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 671150 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Two wins in 1m AW handicaps in the summer; midfield in slow-ground turf handicaps the last twice; should be happier back on AW and this mark probably not beyond him; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Newmarket

Helm Rock

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

8yo who has been in fine form this spring, winning at Kempton (1m, AW) last month then going close at Lingfield (1m, AW) and Nottingham (1m, good); there's every chance he'll be bang there once more.

9/1

2nd

2

(7)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:25 Nottingham

Helm Rock

9st 8lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Ten-time winner split between turf and AW; his last success was at Kempton (1m) last month and he backed that up with a close third under a penalty at Lingfield (Polytrack); did well to hang in there from a wide draw last time and he's respected off same mark back on turf.

13/2

3rd

1

(10)

14th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

18:30 Lingfield (AW)

Helm Rock

9st 13lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Tended to do his winning in the past in batches, which bodes well under a 4lb penalty for last Monday's Kempton victory; well over two years snice he won off a mark this high and hasn't been at his best in two previous runs here but needs considering.

4/1

Form: 550511 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
In good order on AW of late, coming from off the pace to win 1m handicaps here and at Newcastle; up in the weights and in class as he bids for a hat-trick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(1)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Fantastic Fox

9st 2lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

Drawn a blank since January 2024 but he hasn't had much clemency from the handicapper; latest AW run saw him finish fourth at Newcastle in June having met trouble in running and he will be in the shake-up if anywhere near that level.

5/1

8

(1)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Fantastic Fox

9st 2lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

Drawn a blank since January 2024 but he hasn't had much clemency from the handicapper; latest AW run saw him finish fourth at Newcastle in June having met trouble in running and he will be in the shake-up if anywhere near that level.

5/1

Form: 31-185 D BF

Last run: 85 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Looked promising in maiden/novice company, winning twice (7.5f and 1m); lots went wrong at Chester on his handicap debut and excuses can be made at Yarmouth when last seen 12 weeks ago too; worth a market check on his stable/AW debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

1

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

18:38 Doncaster

Lord Bertie

9st 10lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Four wins have come on good to soft/soft ground later in the year and he wants a good test over this trip on good ground; turned in a solid comeback effort over C&D in March but there's little room for error off this mark and he has his quirks.

8/1

6th

7

(6)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

17:15 Doncaster

Lord Bertie

9st 1lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

Hasn't fulfilled the huge promise of his early form for William Haggas but he retains a good chunk of ability and enjoyed a resurgence last autumn, notably when a comfortable winner over C&D (soft) in October; disappointed when last seen but he should be in for another good year; back from a break is perhaps not the time to catch him but market should give clues.

16/1

6/1

Form: 366051

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Kempton on his penultimate start but he put that quickly behind him when winning a 6f Listed race at Newcastle last month; fully effective over 1m but this looks a tough task off his lofty mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(2)

28th Sep 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Tacarib Bay

9st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Richard Hannon

raced far side

10/1

6th

2

(2)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Tacarib Bay

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

in rear

13/2

2nd

1

(3)

7th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:55 Ascot

Tacarib Bay

10st 0lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Both turf wins on soft and won a Listed race on AW in November; ducks and dives regarding the trip but he nearly made his first 6f turf handicap a winning one at Goodwood recently; back up 4lb but has course form at 7f; interesting.

11/2

Form: 3211-

Last run: 432 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Promising at two, winning a good maiden at York before defying a BHA mark of 92 on his nursery debut at Newmarket (7f, good) despite meeting trouble in running; still feasibly handicapped up 3lb and 1m won't be an issue; 432-day absence to contend with but still of some interest; has been gelded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(1)

14th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Desert Order

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Charlie Appleby

prominent

9/4

1st

1

(9)

8th Oct 2022

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Newmarket

Desert Order

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

prominent, dropped to midfield over 5f out, headway under 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish

7/4

16/1

Form: 4-0589 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Highly tried for Ralph Beckett after winning a Haydock novice last summer; no better than fifth in three runs for new stable; down in weights but he drops to 1m with a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(8)

14th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Batemans Bay

8st 12lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Kevin Ryan

led

16/1

9th

3

(10)

15th Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Batemans Bay

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Kevin Ryan

took keen hold, prominent

10/1

8th

7

(13)

14th Oct 2023

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:35 York

Batemans Bay

9st 3lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

dwelt start, in rear

12/1

Non-runners

Rhythm N Rock

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £127.20
Straight Forecast £108.12
Tricast £611.59
Trifecta £525.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Fantastic Fox

SPOTLIGHT:

Desert Order

RP RATINGS:

Excel Power

Telegraph:

Lord Bertie

TOPSPEED:

Tacarib Bay

D Express:

Rhythm N Rock

The Times:

Desert Order

The Guardian:

Fantastic Fox

Daily Mail:

Fantastic Fox

Daily Mirror:

Fantastic Fox

The Sun:

Fantastic Fox

The Star:

Fantastic Fox

Daily Record:

Fantastic Fox

LAMBOURN:

Excel Power