The latest in Chelmsford’s series of Thursday night meetings features seven races and all of them are sponsored by bet365.
Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway.is on hand to run you through his best bets from the Essex track.
19:00 – Secret Mistral @ 11/2
19:30 – Sunny Time @ 6/5
20:00 – Urban Sprawl @ 7/2
19:00 – Secret Mistral @ 11/2
Jockey Rossa Ryan is having a fantastic run and he can strike in the 5f handicap (19:00) with Secret Mistral, who is only 2lb higher than when last successful and didn’t run badly in defeat last time.
The five-year-old kept on strongly to score at Wolverhampton last month and returned to that course to finish sixth of eight last time. She beat only two home, but was just a length and three-quarters behind the winner and that form isn’t too shabby judging on the subsequent efforts of those who finished around her.
The eighth went on to win next time, while the winner and fifth have both run well in defeat since, so Secret Mistral might be capable of defying this 2lb higher mark judging on the strength of that form.
She is versatile tactically and has the speed to lead but can also be held up if necessary. That could prove key in a race where there is plenty of early pace forecast and stall five gives Ryan lots of options.
19:30 – Sunny Time @ 6/5
The 5f handicap (19:30) looks like a good opportunity for Sunny Time to follow up his impressive victory at Lingfield last time, when he comfortably beat the subsequent winner Frankies Dream by a length.
Sunny Time showed lots of speed to get to the front from stall four and the result was never in any doubt from that point. He kicked clear in the straight and looks well capable of defying a 5lb rise in the weights.
That is particularly true now that he switches to this speed-favouring track, where they race quickly into the tight first turn, and he will have an advantage if he can show his early pace on the inside in stall three.
The cheekpieces that he wore there, and for his previous third over course and distance, are back on again and Sunny Time is on a rapid upward curve. He can improve enough to defy the handicap rise.
20:00 – Urban Sprawl @ 7/2
The 1m2f handicap (20:00) could go to Urban Sprawl, who has been running consistently well in mile handicaps on the all-weather recently and might improve for stepping up to this distance for the first time.
Urban Sprawl recorded his last win over a mile on the stiffest track in Britain at Pontefract in October and has dropped back to a mark only 2lb higher than when landing that victory, so is nicely handicapped.
He has also been shaping like he would appreciate a longer trip over a mile recently and did well to finish only a length and a quarter behind in fourth at Lingfield last time after being caught out wide early on.
Trainer Charlie Johnston won this race last year with Wadacre Gomez and Urban Sprawl has two seconds and two thirds from only four starts at this course. He evidently loves the place and, if he is going to stay 1m2f, it’s likely to be around these tight turns. Everything looks to be right for a big run in this race.
Read more horse racing betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.