CHELMSFORD Racecourse presents its latest all-weather race meeting on Thursday afternoon, with a bumper nine-race card, which features seven handicaps, a novice and a maiden.

Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Chelmsford card, courtesy of Betano, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.

The first race of the afternoon is a six-furlong juveniles fillies’ novice (1.25). Tom Clover’s Hamda’s Joy is the only newcomer here, a nice daughter of Kodi Bear, but others with experience make more appeal at present. Warren Greatrex’s Exhibitioning looks very positive after her first two runs behind very good fillies at Windsor, and she should be difficult to beat if running to the best of her ability.

Next is a mile and three quarter handicap (2.00). Jamie Osborne’s Golden Garden carries a penalty after winning at Wolverhampton last time out, while Greek Giant returns from a long lay off, running for the first time since May 2024. If ready to go, he could run a good race on his current mark, but is likely to need the run. James Horton’s Is I Right may have dipped back down to a workable mark today and should be competitive.

Race three is a five-furlong handicap (2.35). Jessica Macey’s course and distance winner Dark Side Prince will attract plenty of interest, now down to a very workable mark. This horse is a consistent sort who could do well in this class of race, but might be vulnerable to Flicka’s Girl, who also has come down to an attractive-looking mark, and is given a handy seven pounds by rider James Glennon.

Following is a six-furlong handicap (3.10). John and Sean Quinn’s Pinjarra looks hard to beat here, after winning over course and distance in August and following that victory up with a place over the minimum trip at the track nine days later. Since down a pound in the handicap, this could be well within reach for him, especially taking into consideration the five pounds given to him by apprentice rider Sam Feilden.

The fifth race is a seven-furlong handicap (3.45). If Joe Ponting’s Alyara can defy a wide draw, she would have a chance at the weights after a good run for a close second over course and distance last time out, while Dylan Cunha’s Desert Beauty looks very competitive despite and even wider draw, but a handy five pounds from claiming rider Morgan Cole could help her do just that.

Next is the first division of a seven-furlong handicap (4.20). George Scott’s Love Is The Law certainly looks interesting in first-time cheekpieces, having finished within the first three on each of his last five starts, and he remains on the same workable mark today. Michael Attwater’s H Key Lails – a course and distance winner in June – should be able to win this, given five pounds by his rider and coming here in good form.

The second division follows (4.50). A winner at Kempton last time out off a mark that was only two pounds lower, Hugo Palmer’s Soldiers Star could be a main player here, especially with five pounds from his rider and a useful innermost draw. All-weather specialist Age Of Baroque could also run a good race in first-time cheekpieces for Jessica Macey.

Second to last is a mile maiden for horses aged three to five years old (5.20). The most experienced is four-year-old Shimmering Spin, who appeared to have benefited from having had wind surgery last time out over course and distance, finishing second of 12. If running a similar race, he could be the one to beat. Blessed Star, though, is more consistent and carries significantly less weight due to being a year younger. She is probably the better of the two in this case and she should at least keep her usual level of placing form, if not getting to the front.

The finale is a mile handicap (5.50). Mark Usher’s runner, Monks Mead, has been expensive to follow so far this term but looks able to win here on a new low mark after placing on his last two appearances. He’s nicely drawn here and is given a chance by the handicapper. Polar Rebel could have a chance of a place too in first-time cheekpieces.