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Previews11 January 2025

Will change in trip help Eagle Day in his hat-trick bid for David Evans?

David Evans: saddles last month's two-time Wolverhampton winner Eagle Day
David Evans: saddles last month's two-time Wolverhampton winner Eagle Day Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Hat-trick seeking Eagle Day arrives on the back of two career-best performances at Wolverhampton and is only up 4lb for his latest success. 

He was a shade keen early last time but was always in command in the closing stages and the drop back to a mile should help him settle.

The lightly raced Altmore did not get an ideal trip when dropped back to 7f at Wolverhampton last time, but he had previously hit the crossbar when racing too close to a hot pace at Kempton and has a less exposed profile than most of his rivals.

Joe Leavy has been good value for his claim over the last 12 months and is reunited with Mr Baloo, who may appreciate a step back up in trip. The colt shaped like a return to form was imminent at Kempton last month and had an excuse when missing the break at Lingfield last time, having failed to anticipate the start.

Riot is not the easiest to predict but he is definitely at his best when given a decent pace to aim at and while the tight turns of Chelmsford are not ideal for hold-up horses, he is a three-time course winner over 7f and there is plenty of speed on here. Whether he can be as effective at a mile is the big question for him (0-6 but placed twice).

Tempus is on a hefty losing run but he is tumbling down the weights as a result and he was not without support in the market prior to a low-key effort at Wolverhampton last time. He is dangerous to dismiss back at his preferred trip from a mark of 88, having been rated 105 just a year ago.

Another who may appreciate a return to a mile is Alzahir, who is back on a good mark and represents the in-form Jennie Candlish.
Race analysis by Phill Anderson


What they say

Adam Ryan, assistant trainer of Apiarist
He's had two good, solid runs at Newcastle recently and he's in good health. You can see on his current form that he'll have a good chance.

Alan O'Keeffe, assistant trainer of Alzahir
He's in good form and he ran well on his penultimate start at the track. With his style of running he'd usually be held up and it'll be difficult from stall 15, but nothing went right for him at Wolverhampton and we've put a line through that. If he gets a bit of luck in-running, he'd have a great chance.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Waiting All Night
He's drawn 13 of 16, so it's going to be tough from a wide berth. He's fine after Wolverhampton, but it's not going to be easy with his draw.

Rod Millman, trainer of Billy Mill
He had a break and came back and ran a bit disappointingly last week, so hopefully he can bounce back to form this time.

Charlie Johnston, trainer of Urban Sprawl
He had a very tough trip round Wolverhampton last week as he was caught very wide, but he ran better than the bare result. It's a competitive race with good prize-money and he should be suited to the course and distance.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Revolutionise
He's in great form and he's been running well through the winter. He's drawn a bit wide in stall 14 and he's never won over a mile, so we're in strange territory with him. It's a decent prize, so it's worth having a go.
Reporting by Liam Headd


Saturday previews:

1.15 Ffos Las: 'We've trained him for this weekend' - key insight as Pauling prospect takes on Skelton mare in intriguing Towton  

1.45 Fairyhouse: Who knows what to expect from American Mike but this former winner looks the value at a whopping 20-1  

2.00 Newcastle: 'He goes there in brilliant form' - analysis and key quotes for Newcastle's 1m2f handicap  

2.58 Ffos Las: 'Is 120 is a nice mark? Hopefully, he's better than that' - all you need to know for a fascinating handicap  

3.15 Chelmsford: Expert analysis and trainer quotes for competitive sprint handicap  


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