Tonight's racing: three runners worth noting at Chelmsford

Following action at Lingfield, Beverley and Warwick, Chelmsford stages a seven-race card under the lights which commences at 5.45. Here are three intriguing runners who are set to grace the Essex track

Handmaiden
6.15 Chelmsford

Frankie Dettori made the long journey to Newcastle a worthwhile one last night when riding Turgenev to victory on his only ride on the card, and in identical fashion arrives at Chelmsford for just one mount.

He rides Handmaiden in the 7f fillies' novice stakes and one suspects that the daughter of Invincible Spirit might not be a maiden for much longer.

She bumped in to subsequent National Stakes scorer Quorto at Newmarket on debut when beaten two and three-quarter lengths, and just failed to peg back another talented Godolphin inmate in Lover's Knot on her second outing.

Given time to recover from those exertions in the interim, the John Gosden-trained filly can put her previous experience to good use here.

7.45 Chelmsford

Owen Burrows has already saddled a couple of promising winners in the last week in the colours of his primary owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, and unleashes an interesting debutant in the shape of Habub in the 6f maiden.

Henry Candy's Taoiseach is the only runner in the field with previous experience, but has hardly set the bar to an unreachable level and this can can go to a newcomer.

Habub's pedigree as a son of War Front out of an American-bred mare must give every hope that he will handle the Polytrack surface on debut, and although William Haggas has a well-backed daughter of Dubawi heading the market, Burrows' colt might be worth chancing.

8.45 Chelmsford

It has been quite a few months for Jason Watson and it is no surprise to see so many trainers utilising his claim.

With two wins from four previous rides, Watson boasts a 50 per cent strike-rate when teaming up with Charlie Hills and the pair to bid to enhance that excellent record with Gemini in the concluding staying handicap.

The daughter of Makfi impressed on her last start when winning an apprentice handicap by four and a half lengths in the hands of Watson, and a 6lb hike in the weights could prove on the lenient side, especially if the step up in trip can unlock further improvement.

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