CHELMSFORD hosts its latest all-weather meeting with a bumper eight-race card on Thursday evening.

Read below for a preview of the Chelmsford card courtesy of Sporting Life.

Beginning the night’s proceedings is an Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap (5.15), in which father-daughter combination Marcus and Alice Tregoning (claiming five pounds) seek to make it two victories on the bounce for Meadram, who won in convincing fashion over course and distance last time. Mark Loughnane’s Ciotog looks to benefit from a step back in up trip too, given seven pounds by his rider.

Race two sees a small field of five sent over the marathon two-mile trip (5.50). The consistent dual-purpose performer Star Legend is only a pound above his last winning mark at this track over 1m6f, and looks likely to be yet another winner for the in-form James Owen. Course and distance winner Sullivan Bay may be worth some attention, returning to action from a break and wind surgery after a productive winter campaign.

6.20 brings a 3YO fillies’ maiden over a mile. Newcomers Making Moves and Dancing Parigina both sport promising pedigrees, but look unlikely to get the better of Ralph Beckett’s runner, Participle, who was only narrowly beaten in a very strong fillies’ maiden as a two-year-old. Al Durry looks a smart prospect for Owen Burrows with a run under her belt last month.

Our fourth race is a well-populated maiden over a mile (6.50), introducing seven debutants. Godolphin’s Open Road has much to live up to, from a prolific Group race winning family, and Jack Channon’s Team Player will be worth considering given the stable’s excellent running strike rate. Connections of Mudbir, a half-brother of Juddmonte International winner Mostahdaf, will be expecting a step forward from a good display of ability in his sole start last year.

Next is the second division of the mile maiden (7.20). The already gelded newcomer Mawood for Harry Eustace and Shadwell has some talented relatives, but may be best watched on this occasion. Competizione steps up in trip for the Gosdens, having only been beaten by half a length last time in a decent seven-furlong maiden at Doncaster, which ought to help him go one better.

There’s a small but competitive field for race six, a five-furlong handicap (7.50). Smooth Silesie is up to a career high mark for her 2025 reappearance, but tends to go well fresh and could be in the placings. Eight-year-old Dark Side Prince is down to a tempting mark having placed on his last two starts, and has a handy inside draw to take advantage of.

The 8.20pm, our penultimate race, a six-furlong handicap, sees the vastly improved Combustion try to get his head back in front, after an awkward start denied him a five-timer at Southwell last time out. Trainer Chelsea Banham’s horses are consistently running to form, so he should be bang there again in this company. Oisin Murphy takes the reins on Safari Dream, last seen winning an apprentice handicap and might oblige again with the top jockey aboard.

Finally, the evening is rounded off with a seven-furlong handicap (8.50). Bizarre Law looks unlikely to defy a five-pound penalty after winning at Wolverhampton two weeks ago, leaving him vulnerable to Ballybaymoonshiner, now back to his course and distance winning mark from last year, and last-start victor Kranjcar, given seven pounds by his rider once again. 

Chelmsford selections – Thursday

5.15 – Ciotog

5.50 – Star Legend

6.20 – Participle

6.50 – Team Player

7.20 – Competizione

7.50 – Dark Side Prince

8.20 – Safari Dream

8.50 – Ballboymoonshiner