Key trainer quotes as Cenotaph bids to repeat win of a year ago in £100,000 race

7.15 Chelmsford
Betfred Chelmsford City Cup (Heritage Handicap) | 7f | 3yo+ | Sky

Last year's winner Cenotaph bids to register his first success since that significant triumph on his first start for Simon Crisford in the most valuable race of the day.

The flashy sprinter was trained by the now-retired Jeremy Noseda when landing a gamble in the 7f contest 12 months ago, on which occasion he was ridden by Ryan Moore, who is again in the saddle here.

The seven-year-old faces a rematch in the £100,000 contest with Vale Of Kent and Cliffs Of Capri, who were fourth and sixth in the race last year.

Rated 103 when landing 3-1 favouritism that day, Cenotaph is just 1lb higher this time around and, despite being drawn on the wrong side, was beaten under ten lengths on his final start for Noseda in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Crisford, who is fitting his new recruit with cheekpieces for the first time, said: "Cenotaph has been fresh and well since joining us from Jeremy's yard but it looks a super tough race as you would expect for the money.

"His draw in stall two isn't bad but everything will have to drop right for him from there I would imagine."

Can last year's fourth Vale Of Kent oblige?

Mark Johnston won the inaugural running of the valuable event two years ago with Masham Star and he is back for more with topweight Vale Of Kent, who finished fourth in this a year ago.

The four-year-old is having only his second start on the all-weather since that credible effort but has been in good form on turf this summer, backing up a win over this trip at Newmarket with a pair of seconds in big handicaps at Glorious Goodwood and York's Ebor meeting.

Vale Of Kent (blue cap) wins this summer's Bunbury Cup under Frankie Dettori at NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

Charlie Johnston, son of and assistant to trainer Mark, said: "We are huge supporters of Chelmsford and won the inaugural running two years ago. It's an early closer and Vale Of Kent is 4lb well in after York, which was probably a career-best.

"He's had a tough campaign, but he seems to be taking it well and he's shown he's versatile trip-wise. He's won at Chelmsford before, and Frankie Dettori knows him very well having won the Bunbury Cup on him and only just been touched off at York. If he reproduces the York run he'll be bang there."

Will Cliffs Of Capri get a slice of luck?

Cliffs Of Capri should be fresher than most in the race as he passed the post on the bridle when fourth at Goodwood last time having been unable to get a clear run all the way up the straight.

The five-year-old, who was sixth in this race a year ago, has not had much luck all summer in big handicaps and could be due a change in fortune from a decent draw in stall four.

Trainer Jamie Osborne said: "Cliffs Of Capri is in great order as he didn't really have a race behind Salute The Soldier – he couldn't get out of a pocket. It all depends who gets the rub of the green again but if things drop right for him he would have a big shout."

What the others say

Richard Spencer, trainer of Keyser Soze
He likes to drop in, which is just as well as he's drawn wide, and Adam Kirby will have to pick his way through the traffic. We think he's a better horse on the all-weather than the turf and we've had this in mind for a while as it's great prize-money.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Sheikh Juma Dalmmok Al Maktoum, owner of Beauty Filly
She'll have to jump well from stall one but she's a decent filly and we have no worries about the track as she's won around Chester.

Louis Steward, rider of Gulliver
I ride Gulliver for David O'Meara and I know the horse well as I used to ride him work for Hugo Palmer. He's not got the greatest of draws but if he has his head screwed on he'll be finishing best of all in the straight and could nick a place.

Owen Burrows, trainer of Habub
He won well last time and is obviously very effective on the all-weather. This race slots nicely into his programme and we are happy enough with the draw.

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