Boynton out to get the wheels back on his career under the Essex lights

7.15 Chelmsford
Bet toteexacta At Betfred.com Conditions Stakes l 1m2f l ATR

One-time Classic hope Boynton makes his long awaited reappearance nearly 15 months since he last was seen in public at Glorious Goodwood in 2016.

Charlie Appleby's chestnut had some high class form to his name before meeting with a series of setbacks including when landing the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at the Newmarket July Festival.

Boynton then ran another fine race when third to War Decree in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood before injury curtailed his juvenile season.

The son of More Than Ready then spent the winter in Dubai where he was also unable to appear and has taken his time to recover from some subsequent issues.

As he is by a dirt stallion, Boynton is expected to relish his first run on the all-weather and connections hope he can make up for lost time before heading for a winter campaign back in Dubai.

Appleby said: "Boynton met with a setback at the end of his two-year-old career and since then he's had a series of niggly problems that have kept him off until now. We've been pleased with him at home of late and if the Boynton from last year turns up I'd expect him to be bang there. This will tell us where we are with him as we look towards his four-year-old career."

Boynton, who is top rated of the six runners on 113, is 6lb clear of local rival Red Verdon, who is on a retrieval mission after disappointing in a Listed contest at Newmarket last time. The four-year-old, who is without a win since last May, had previously run well off a break when second at Doncaster.

Trainer Ed Dunlop said: "We were disappointed with Red Verdon at Doncaster, especially as his previous run had been so good. He has form on the all-weather so hopefully he can bounce back."

The one penalised runner in the line-up is Murad Khan, who represents Hugo Palmer. The four-year-old picks up his penalty courtesy of his win in a Class 2 contest at Windsor in July and is stepping back up in trip. His owner Ibrahim Araci's racing manager Rob Speers said: "He seems to be in good form at home and didn't run badly at Sandown last time. Hopefully this trip will be within his compass, although his penalty makes things difficult."

BULLETIN BOARD

Striker to score?

It's no surprise that a newcomer with the name Red Striker sports the colours of Sir Alex Ferguson in the 6.45 at Chelmsford this evening.

The former Manchester United manager part owns the son of Sea The Stars, who cost 190,000gns as a yearling, in partnership with three others including lifelong Red Devils fan Fred Done.

Red Striker was shown to the press at a media event in Newmarket on Tuesday morning, when he impressed in his final exercise ahead of his debut in the mile contest.

Even if he does not hit the target first time this evening, Red Striker is expected to make a nice three-year-old in 2018.

Light to shine under lights

Valley Of Light was backed as if defeat was out of the question on her debut at Lingfield last month but let her supporters down and is back on a retrieval mission in the 7.45 at Chelmsford.

The 400,000gns purchase was punted into 5-6 favourite (from 11-8) on her debut that day after some decent homework but could never land a blow and was beaten ten lengths into third.

Valley Of Light is better than that and is expected to be better suited to this more demanding track, where her trainer Saeed Bin Suroor has an enviable record.

Billy bids to strike again

Billy De Kid made little impact as a hurdler but he is is making a better fist of steeplechasing with the six-year-old getting off the mark on his most recent start when scoring on his fourth attempt over fences at Clonmel two weeks ago.

He bids to follow up that handicap debut win, again over two miles, at Thurles (2.05) with 7lb claimer Kevin Brouder again on board and trainer Tom Cooper said yesterday: "Billy De Kid came out of his Clonmel win in good form and is fresh.

"It hasn't taken him long to get the hang of jumping fences and I think he has improved since Clonmel. The forecast good to yielding ground will be fine if it stays that way, but we wouldn't want it to get too soft."

Boy set for repeat

Fairymount Boy ended a long winless spell for trainer Rathkeale Co Limerick trainer Michael P Hourigan when landing a two mile handicap hurdle at Gowran Park last month.

It was the eight-year-old's first win in 14 attempts over hurdles and with 5lb claimer Barry John Foley again on board and Hourigan is upbeat about his chances of following up in division two of the 2m handicap hurdle (4.10).

Hourigan said: "I'm happy with him and happy to be in the division we're in.

"It was heavy when he won at Gowran but he's adaptable in terms of ground. He travels and jumps and did run well over the course and trip last season when he probably got to the front a bit soon."

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