Key insight and trainer views as Cosmelli lines up on tempting mark

7.00 Chelmsford
getitprinted.com Online Print Solution Handicap | 1m6f | 4yo+ | RTV

A tight little handicap largely contested by horses who have seen better days. One of those arguably is Cosmelli, who has been a real credit to Gay Kelleway since joining her in 2017.

He may have won only twice for the yard but has run several big races in good handicap company, and one of his successes was in the Northumberland Plate consolation race in 2018, while he finished a close-up fifth in the big one at Newcastle only last June.

That was off a mark of 96 (he had been beaten only three lengths in the Plate off 99 in 2017) and it has taken just five further runs for him to drop to a mark of 85, so there is no doubt he is well treated, and he has run up to his current mark on his last two starts at Southwell.

The trainer, who has had two winners and five seconds from just 12 runners in the past fortnight, adds 7lb claimer George Rooke to the mix, so Cosmelli looks temptingly treated for his Chelmsford debut.

Watch Cosmelli's latest run at Southwell

David Simock's Desert Friend is one of the youngest and least exposed after just six runs, the first three of which were for Mark Johnston.

He looked really promising as a two-year-old, winning two of those first three over a mile when making the running, but he hasn't made much impact under hold-up rides over middle distances so far for this yard.

Lord Halifax is the other lightly raced runner in the contest. He got off the mark with an easy five-length win at Kempton in December, but was then turned over at odds-on under a 6lb penalty a week later at Lingfield – and he's 3lb higher here.

If it was simply a case of Lingfield coming too soon, Charlie Fellowes' four-year-old may well be the one to give Cosmelli most to do, as he had plenty in the tank at Kempton.
Race analysis by Paul Kealy

Lord Halifax: bids to bounce back to the form of his easy Kempton win in DecemberCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

What do the stats say?

David Simcock's stable has been in flying form over the past fortnight with five winners from 15 runners, a 33 per cent strike-rate. He runs Desert Friend.

The James Fanshawe-trained Lady Bergamot is the only runner in the race to have won previously over course or distance.

What do connections say?

Nick Littmoden, trainer of Original Choice
He's in very good form on the all-weather this year and seems to have appreciated stepping up in trip. I was really happy with his run last time in a conditions race and we're just down a little bit in trip, which shouldn't cause any problems. Hollie Doyle gets on very well with him and we're hoping for the best. We've changed things round a bit with cheekpieces and a visor, and he wears blinkers this time to keep it varied. He's there with a sporting chance.

Gay Kelleway, trainer of Cosmelli
He's got a decent weight and I think it's the lowest he'll have carried since we had him over from Italy, with George [Rooke] taking another 7lb off. He's riding well and the stable's in form but it depends whether Cosmelli suits the track. I was a bit disappointed with him last time at Southwell as I thought he'd win. He's in good order and it seems the right type of race with him. We're planning on going to Newcastle with him again this year, whether it's in the Northumberland Vase again or the Plate. If he reproduces his best form he should win.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Lord Halifax
He's doing really well. He won nicely at Kempton two starts ago before we ran him under a penalty a week later, which I didn't really want to do to be honest, but he was due to go up 9lb. That was at Lingfield, which isn't really his track. He's had a nice break now and shouldn't have any problems with the extra two furlongs, so he's got to have a nice chance.
Reporting by Andrew Wilsher

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