Chelmsford City - Thu 26 Mar 2026
Blue Deveron sets the form standard based on his debut second at Southwell and it may well have been the case that he was turned out too quickly on his other outing at Wolverhampton. That said, he faces some interesting newcomers, with HALLANDALE BEACH getting the vote. He is related to plenty of winners and is from a yard whose string has been hitting the crossbar of late. The Untamed and Romeo's Guardian are others to consider.
COMBUSTION hasn't looked back since his return in December with Chelsea Banham's gelding landing a hat-trick of victories, the latest of those coming at Kempton, and a 3lb rise doesn't appear to be overly harsh. Lazzar got back to winning ways at the same circuit and is respected with cheekpieces reapplied but it wouldn't be a huge shock if Supreme King (fifth) reversed the form, especially due to the fact he was unable to get a clear run.
Having finished a never-nearer fourth on her handicap bow at Wolverhampton recently, IN DENIAL could be ready to open her account. Mark Loughnane's filly was only beaten a length and she makes plenty of appeal racing off an unchanged mark. Faithful Dream is more than capable of being in the mix if repeating the level of his Kempton second on his penultimate start, while Go Lockers Go is expected to have improved from a break over the winter.
SMOKEY MALONE won his last three starts by pretty fine margins and has only gone up 9lb in total for those exertions. This isn't much tougher than the race he won here last month and another bold showing looks likely. Angelardo got off the mark at Newcastle over an extended 2m and should also be a key player if cutting back in trip doesn't cause issues. El Ghaawy and King's Cruiser complete the shortlist.
CLOVER TIME and Initial Blue both like to be on the front end and can make this a searching test. The latter has the better record on Polytrack and must be taken seriously, despite being 8lb above his last winning mark. However, Mick Appleby's four-year-old has gone well here before now and could offer better value from an attractive rating. Fiorella Princess and Diamond Dreamer are other appealing options.
This could be set up for a closer and FRANCISCO ideally fits the bill with 7lb claimer Alfie Redman back in the saddle. The five-year-old can be a slow starter so isn't one for maximum faith, but Redman knows him well and is the only rider to have coaxed a previous win out of him. My Boy Harry, Sanditon and Bint Havana Gold are all C&D winners to bear in mind.
Cheekpieces have transformed the fortunes of ZIPWIRE and the hat-trick seeking three-year-old could be tough to overhaul if he handles reverting to Polytrack after a brace of Wolverhampton successes. Aneirin's Sword was a close-up second behind the selection last time out and has a feasible chance of turning the form around on the revised terms. Port Darwin might have needed the run at Kempton last month and is one to keep an eye on in the betting.
Blue Deveron is best of those to have raced and he might well improve for the step up to 6f but he's likely vulnerable to a newcomer with Ammo's HALLANDALE BEACH perhaps the pick. He wasn't as expensive as some from the operation but still has a nice profile. The Untamed is another newcomer of note from a good stable to take seriously on debut. His dam was a 6f 2yo winner and related to a smart sort.
It could be worth taking a chance on GOLD STAR HERO in this. The returning top weight is a past C&D winner and finds himself on a mark 1lb lower than when runner-up on the AW at Lingfield two starts back. Lazzar is a solid alternative up just 2lb for a win at Kempton last time. He too is a previous C&D scorer and it's possible his progression hasn't stopped. Third choice is Combustion. He's on quite the roll at present and a 3lb rise might not be enough to prevent him from landing a four-timer.
This can go to GO LOCKERS GO, who was too keen on his most recent outing after being gelded but returns from a break in a reapplied hood and has the most potential if consenting to settle. Faithful Dream is respected also having finished well from off the pace at Wolverhampton last time. He's on a fair mark still and can go well again if getting a pace to aim it. In Denial is one to consider also having got caught a little too far back last time. That was her handicap debut and she's open to further progress herself.
There's surely more to come from Angelardo, who scored with a bit in hand when keeping on well at Newcastle last time, but the drop in trip on a less stiff track could count against him so let's instead go with TAKE THE BOAT, who was progressive until last time. He had excuses, though, and could bounce back with his smart rider's 7lb claim an obvious plus. Smokey Malone is chasing a four-timer and remains on a fair mark so it would be no surprise to see another big run from him.
Last season's winner of the race Diamond Dreamer enters the race in decent form and is acttually on a mark 1lb lower than 12 months ago so he must go well again but CLOVER TIME has been shaping as though a drop to the minimum trip is just what he needs and he gets it here. Too keen last time, when below form, his earlier efforts make him a strong contender here with stall 1 a nice berth. Initial Blue is consistent and comes in as third choice although he needs more off this mark to get back winning.
MY BOY HARRY wasn't at his best last time but he likes it here - his last two victories have come over C&D - and he's been dropped 1lb. He can go well from a nice draw in 3 and it just favoured to Bint Havana Gold, another former C&D scorer who promises to be suited to the step back up in trip having not been at her best last time. Shades Of May is third choice with the drop in trip an interesting move. He's been in form at 8f and should prove just as effective back at the shorter trip.
Aneirin's Sword is consistent and tough, while the manner in which he ran when runner-up at Wolverhampton last time suggests this slightly longer trip will be to his advantage. He could prove vulnerable to an improver though and ENGROSS fits the bill nicely. He showed improved form at the third attempt when upped slightly in trip at Wolverhampton last time and the further increase in distance - he's bred to want at least this far - can see him progress enough to make a winning handicap debut. Berkshire Schmokin has progressed since being sent handicapping himself and he comes in as third choice.
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