THURSDAY evening’s race meeting at Chelmsford is another bumper affair with a packed nine-race card. We have two novice races and seven handicaps to look forward to, and plenty of competition alongside. 

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

We begin with a nursery handicap run over a mile and a quarter (4.18). There are only three runners here, and it looks to be something of a one-horse race, with Charlie Johnston’s Explosion eight pounds higher in the handicap than his opponents. They all step up in trip for the first time and, while Explosion should be too good for the other two, Royal Bodyguard might give him something to think about in the closing stages. 

Race two is an amateur jockeys’ ‘Hands and Heels’ handicap run over a mile and a quarter again (4.50). Course and distance winner Sense Of Reason should be at the sharp end under three-pound claimer James Hills, but Jessica Bedi’s Prince Hector looks a better option having been a narrowly-beaten third at Yarmouth last time out. He stays on the same mark today and could be the one to beat. 

Over the same trip again is a three-year-olds’ Selling Stakes (5.25). Here is another small field, with just four runners, but it looks reasonably competitive nonetheless. Willie Haggas’ Forever Penywern was last seen winning a selling race at Goodwood in decisive fashion and has risen in the weights accordingly, hence the three pounds from rider Harry Burns looks a positive. Julie Camacho’s Divine Legacy is better than his last run at Windsor, when he was well-beaten in a handicap on good-to-firm ground, and he might be happier on this surface. 

The first division of a two-year-olds’ novice over seven furlongs follows (6.00). Karmacy, Trust No One, Onyeisi and Marseillan are the newcomers here, while Charlie Fellowes’ Rosa Inglesa brings the best previous form, having placed nicely on debut at Yarmouth. It’s interesting that William Knight chooses to run Norfolk Blue back in novice company, after making his handicap debut last month, and he might be suited by the all-weather. 

In the second division (6.30), we have four debutants; Timely Salute, Athena’s War, Baandee and Bellini Spirit. They’ll all have to be fairly sharp here, though, to get past the best of the more experienced runners; Mick From Tipp, who runs for Denis Quinn. Acclaimed Freedom ought to be in the mix too for George Scott and Harry Davies.

Another nursery handicap is next, run over seven furlongs (7.00). Nigel Tinkler’s Captain Bruce won over course and distance last time out, and has risen sharply in the weights since then. Behind him that day was Imso Friendly, who has come down a pound since then and looks a likely candidate for Brian Ellison here. James Owen’s Thanh Nam has poor novice form, but might be a different horse in handicap company. 

Following is a mile and three quarter handicap (7.30). This is a very competitive-looking race, with each of the six runners having placed on their last start, therefore all arrive in good form. James Horton’s Is I Right looked promising last time out when just failing to finish off his race under top weight over course and distance last time out, so could do better here at the bottom of the handicap. 

Our penultimate race is a six-furlong handicap (8.00). Sam’s Hope carries a five-pound penalty having won last time out at Wolverhampton, so might find it difficult to repeat that form here. Invincible Navy looks promising under five-pound claimer Mason Paetel after two recent placing efforts, while Smasher could get back to his best under William Carson, who is known to get a good tune out of him. Having come down the handicap two pounds since last time, he could be a real danger if running as well as he can do. 

Finally, we conclude with a mile handicap (8.30). Francesi could have a chance under seven-pound claimer Katrine Holm, while Jamie Osborne’s Moonlight Bomb could run a good race, having come down the weights by a pound. Capable on his day, he should be able to win in this company. 

Chelmsford selections – Thursday:

4.18 – Explosion 

4.50 – Prince Hector

5.25 – Divine Legacy 

6.00 – Norfolk Blue

6.30 – Mick From Tipp

7.00 – Imso Friendly 

7.30 – Is I Right

8.00 – Smasher

8.30 – Moonlight Bomb