BEGINNING proceedings is the first division of a two-year-olds’ fillies’ maiden over six furlongs (5.00). Only four of the 12 runners have raced before, the best of which may turn out to be Marco Botti’s Spirit Star, who made up a lot of ground late on when debuting at Wolverhampton and now, with some experience under her belt, could strike. Archie Watson’s two-year-olds are going well this term, and his filly Due Destiny could be worth a look.

Division two of the above race follows (5.35). Hilal Kobeissi’s horses are running well at the moment, therefore his filly Amorist could be of interest, with a better pedigree than her purchase price suggests. Richard Hughes’ Nifty has the best form of those with a previous run, having placed a promising third of nine on debut at Salisbury, and should be capable of better for her in-form trainer.

Race three is a handicap over a mile and three quarters (6.05). Smokey Malone won over course and distance last time out and, having only risen two pounds in the handicap, could be in the mix once again. It might be between him and Zooks, who beat Smokey Malone by nearly two lengths here in February and is beginning to slide back down the handicap towards that last winning mark. With his regular rider Dylan Hogan aboard, though, Smokey Malone gets the final vote as the pair have a good partnership and Hogan knows how to get the best result from this horse.

Next is a handicap over a mile and a quarter (6.35). The Hrse Horse should have everything he needs to break his maiden here stepping up in trip for the first time, with an inside draw which will suit his prominent running style, and his preferred left-handed track. Yuvraaj can try to make it two consecutive wins, having obliged last time over a mile at Kempton, but this longer trip poses a question mark after an underwhelming display over a similar distance in Meydan in the winter.

The fifth race is a confined novice race for fillies aged three and over, run over a mile and quarter (7.07). Ralph Beckett’s newcomer Sea The Wonder ought to be the best quality here, having been a very expensive yearling purchase with a star-studded pedigree, and the trainer’s form with three-year-olds on the all-weather is one of his strongest categories. Charlie Johnston’s Jeanne Baret might be the one to chase her home.

Race six is a mile and three-quarters handicap with a small field of just five (7.42). David Simcock’s Clockmaker won on reappearance last time, and has risen two pounds in the weights as a result, but he is still open to improvement at four years old. Sax Appeal is very capable on his day and has won plenty of races on the all-weather in extremely impressive style. Now down to a tempting mark, he could recapture that form here.

Our penultimate race is a seven-furlong fillies’ handicap (8.17). Stella Hogan is quite a reliable mare, and although she won last time out over a mile, she could win again today with a seven-pound claimer on her back and not having risen in the handicap. Course and distance winner Windsor Pass looks competitive and might just need luck in running.

The finale is a seven furlong handicap (8.47). City Captain won on stable debut for Harriet Bethell and, only two pounds higher in the weights now, could do so again with Joanna Mason back in the saddle, while Ceria G looks a likely candidate from stall one under Daniel Muscutt. Adelaide Bay appears unlikely to make it two consecutive wins having risen sharply in the weights since April.

Chelmsford selections – Friday

5.00 – Spirit Star
5.35 – Nifty
6.05 – Smokey Malone
6.35 – The Hrse Horse
7.07 – Sea The Wonder
7.42 – Sax Appeal
8.17 – Stella Hogan
8.47 – City Captain