5.30 Chelmsford: the one race you don't want to miss on Thursday

5.30 Chelmsford
Bet totequadpot At totesport.com Handicap | 7f | 3yo+ | RTV

Why is it interesting?

Money matters and once again Chelmsford steps up to the plate, offering the richest purse of the day in Britain.

The £20,000 prize has attracted some established older performers, but they might be fearing the younger legs of the three-year-old Reeves, a course-and-distance winner last month.

What do the stats say?

No-one has ridden more winners at the track in the last five years than Luke Morris, who is aiming to work his magic on Merhoob, while Stuart Williams has enjoyed by far his best campaign, so Alemaratalyoum could be a player.

The sole previous running of the race was won by subsequent Listed runner-up Crossing The Line, who beat the returning Lucymai by half a length.

What do the trainers say?

Richard Spencer, trainer of Keyser Soze
He’s come down a bit in the weights and has run some solid races without getting the job done. He’s got a lot of weight and that’s an issue, but on ratings he’s the best horse. Hopefully he can run well.

Tony Carroll, trainer of Silent Attack and De Vegas Kid
I quite like De Vegas Kid, who has been progressive and can be competitive in a race like this off a low weight, while we're still finding our way with Silent Attack, who ran well first time for us at Kempton but wasn't so good last time. We need to get back on track with him but he's a beautiful-looking horse and has ability.

Merhoob: had a luckless run last time outCredit: Edward Whitaker

John Ryan, trainer of Merhoob
He was unlucky last time as he got snatched up in the final furlong and was denied an honest run. This race isn't ideal in that he has won over seven furlongs only once and his best form is at six, but he likes the track and is in good order.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Alemaratalyoum
I'm very hopeful. He's been in good form but I'd have liked to have been drawn lower than eight. He's run well at Chelmsford before and coming back in trip is no problem.

William Muir, trainer of Jack's Point
His seconds at Goodwood to Beat Le Bon and Land Of Legends would be good enough and he's been working extremely well at home. That might be because what he's working against isn't as good, but he couldn't be going any better. He's had a little break since his last run because a cut needed time to heal, but he never missed any exercise.

Robert Cowell, trainer of Reeves
I think he's still at the right end of the handicap and seemed to handle the all-weather well last time. He's done very well physically, has run in competitive handicaps on turf and I think he should run well.

What do our tipsters say?

A good-quality handicap but not many arrive in top form. It's worth siding with Reeves, despite a step up in grade and rise in the weights. Robert Cowell's runner turned in his best effort to win over this course and distance on his all-weather debut last time and he's capable of better on synthetics. The normally reliable Lucymai may give him most to do.
Richard Young

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