Chelmsford kicks off pair of valuable cards as O'Brien eyes opportunity

Chelmsford's commitment to offer high levels of prize-money is on show again this week, with the track on Thursday staging the first of two cards carrying six-figure funds.

Thursday's meeting totals £110,500, while Saturday evening's card – with Boyzone providing after-racing entertainment – will be the course's most valuable since it reopened its doors, with £200,000 on offer over seven races.

James Fanshawe has runners for Thursday and Saturday's features, with Zest due to run in Thursday's £45,000 conditions stakes for fillies (2.50).

James Fanshawe: trains Gothic EmpireCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "She likes the all-weather and has got a good draw and has shown plenty of speed at home so we're not too worried about coming back a furlong."

Mazzini is tackling seven furlongs for the first time on Saturday in the £80,00 Chelmsford City Cup Handicap and Fanshawe added: "He likes it round there and I hope we get a good draw."

Fanshawe is impressed with the prize-money on offer, and added: "As a whole the average prize-money is so much better at Chelmsford than the other all-weather tracks and it makes you wonder why the others can't do the same."

Chelmsford's efforts have also not gone unnoticed further afield, with Aidan O'Brien potentially having a runner in Saturday's feature with Cenotaph, while Victoria Cup winner Fastnet Tempest is another possible.

An extra 11 fixtures next year is further indication of Chelmsford's attempts to raise its profile, and course manager Fraser Garrity said: "Saturday is the culmination of our summer season, which had prize-money of over a million pounds for our main nine fixtures."

A crowd of around 7,000 is expected on Saturday, and Garrity added: "This is one of our 12 racecourse fixtures which roll forward from one year to the next and it's something we'd be looking to continue with."

Laytown prelude to another seaside special

The Laytown races take place next Tuesday but five days before he is due to saddle another team to contest the unique beach race meeting Jamie Osborne gives a debut to a two-year-old named after the venue.

Laytown, a filly by Footstepsinthesand, makes her first appearance in a 7f novice event at Wolverhampton. She is owned by the Melbourne 10 Racing Partnership with whom Osborne enjoyed a memorable first trip to Ireland's annual beach fixture last year.

"When they bought a Footstepsinthesand filly I thought it was a fairly obvious name really and I was surprised we got it," said the Lambourn trainer. "She is a nice filly. She is unlikely to win tomorrow."

Room Key took the finale to ensure Melbourne 10 Racing's mission was a successful oneCredit: Patrick McCann

Osborne had only ever had four runners in Ireland until last year he put together a team of six horses to run at the race meeting for a fun-seeking syndicate headed by Ian Barrett. They enjoyed the experience so much they are paying a return visit.

"I think we are going to end up with a runner in every race," said Osborne. "Last year we had a runner in every race and end up with one winner, a second and a third. There are no standouts but we haven't seen the entries yet. I am happy we have nice team.

"The Melbourne 10 is ten of us led by Ian Barrett which is the same team that went to St Moritz where we sadly lost Boomerang Bob. They like trips, days out. It's a very pure form of racing, having a bit of fun.

"The Laytown prize-money isn't too bad but trips like this don't come cheap. We are not doing it to balance the books, just for a bit of fun."