The Listed Louis Roederer Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes headlines a cracking card at Chelmsford on Sunday. Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway runs you through his best bets.
1.35 Chelmsford
Princess Naomi @ 10/1
1pt win
2.10 Chelmsford
Cry Havoc @ 13/2
1pt win
2.45 Chelmsford
Take A Stand @ 9/4
1pt win
4.30 Chelmsford
Mcqueen @ 7/2
1pt win
Princess can have crowning glory
Princess Naomi didn't show much on her first two starts but she was a big eyecatcher when a staying-on third in a 5f novice at Chepstow last time and is taken to win the 7f nursery.
The Rod Millman-trained juvenile is by the trainer's smart Group 3 winner Master Carpenter, out of a mare who is a half-sister to a US Grade 2 winner over 7f. Not only does that suggest that Princess Naomi will improve for a longer trip, it also strongly points to the sand suiting.
It's probably no coincidence that Millman has kept her to turf for her three qualifying runs and she has been given a rating of just 48 for her handicap debut. She should be well up to defying that lowly mark now she is switched to what should be an ideal all-weather surface.
No cause for alarm with Cry Havoc
Lila Girl will be a warm order for the 7f handicap following two victories over course and distance, but she is up 6lb for her latest win here and is worth opposing with Cry Havoc.
The Rae Guest-trained filly is a two-time winner at Chelmsford herself and her last victory came over course and distance off a mark 8lb higher than she will be competing from here.
Cry Havoc has shaped like she could soon take advantage of her drop in the weights on her recent runs and she was a big eyecatcher when a strong-finishing third in a 7f handicap at Wolverhampton in March. That form has been franked by the second, who has won since.
She failed to build on that when beaten three lengths into third at Lingfield on Good Friday, but she again kept on strongly to be nearest at the finish and a 79-day break is no concern. She has run well fresh before and Adam Kirby's booking suggests she will be ready to go.
Take A Stand can hold his ground
There has been a lot to like about Take The Stand's four runs so far and he impressed when keeping on well for fourth on his handicap debut at Lingfield a couple of weeks ago.
Take The Stand was beaten just under three lengths, despite being set far too much to do and he has a huge chance of breaking his maiden at the fifth attempt in the 7f handicap.
Franny Norton rode last time, but trainer James Tate has switched to Rossa Ryan here and that's another indicator that a big run is expected. Ryan has four winners and five seconds from just 19 rides for the in-form Tate yard and he can steer Take The Stand to his first win.
Mcqueen can score in good fashion
A couple of all-weather wins over the winter confirmed that Mcqueen is a tough nut to crack on the sand and the lightly-raced three-year-old can get a third win in the 1m handicap.
He is already a course-and-distance winner and he has shaped like he could soon get back to winning ways on his last two starts. He finished well for second at Wolverhampton two runs ago and ran a similar race when third at Lingfield on his last run when nothing finished faster.
The return to this track is in his favour and Henry Spiller fits first-time blinkers. That is a big positive because the trainer is 3-17 (18 per cent) with runners who were wearing the aid for the first time.
By Graeme Rodway.
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