THE all-weather action at Chelmsford Racecourse on Thursday evening saw a good spread of results, but the main story was jockey Hector Crouch riding a treble of winners, two of which were trained by Michael Bell. 

Read on for a full report of the Chelmsford card, courtesy of Sporting Life. 

The first race was a six-furlong two-year-olds’ maiden (4.45). In an 11-runner race, the favourite was the Hector Crouch-ridden Afton Down at 6/4, but this race was not eventually part of the rider’s treble that evening. The favourite led, but was headed towards the finish by Mark Usher’s 10/1 shot From The Hip, ridden by Tyler Heard. 

Next was a six-furlong nursery handicap (5.15). Hector Crouch again rode the favourite here; Jennie Candlish’s Woody Y Fernandez, but was again beaten as the gelding wasn’t quite able to sustain his effort to get to the front. Instead, David Loughnane’s 100/30 shot Far Too Fizzy kept on smartly to win by three quarters of a length under Laura Pearson, followed by the 11/1 Kuiama. 

The third race was a fillies’ novice, run over seven furlongs (5.45). Here, Hector Crouch put the two beaten favourites behind him to win on board 11/10 market leader Applesandpears, trained by Ed Bethell. The second favourite, Baandee, was second by three lengths, while 16/1 Perdy In Paris was third and Bright City Lights was fourth. 

A seven-furlong fillies’ handicap followed (6.15). Willie Haggas’ Cognisance was the main fancy here, but she didn’t have a clear run and made no impression. Stellenbosch led, but was beaten inside the final furlong by Aramis Grey, Al Joory and Fouette, who had made good headway from the rear to win for James Horton at 6/1, ridden by Oisin Orr. 

A six-furlong handicap followed (6.45). David O’Meara’s Flowstate was fancied to win at 2/1 and, though he ran a good race, he couldn’t quite get ahead of the Hollie Doyle-ridden Due Date, trained by Charlie Wallis, who kept on well to win by a length and a half from the innermost draw. 

Race six was a five-furlong handicap (7.15). We had another winning favourite here in the shape of Dark Side Prince, trained by Jessica Macey and ridden by Alistair Rawlinson. The eight-year-old had made all from the off and, despite facing a challenge towards the end from Shalaa Asker, managed to keep in front to win by a neck. 

Second to last was a mile and three quarter handicap (7.45). This race brought in the second leg of Hector Crouch’s treble, partnered with Michael Bell’s Cardinal Point at 11/10. The filly was in touch with the leading Cloaks Of Gold, who finished second, but quickened nicely towards the finish to lead and nip the win by just a short head. The Bay Warrior was third at 15/2. 

The final race of the evening was a 10-furlong handicap (8.15). Hector Crouch completed his treble here on board Michael Bell’s Time Tested, who travelled in midfield behind the leading Mythical Bird. Edging closer, the gelding made good progress in the final two furlongs to lead and keep on to win by just under two lengths, bringing in a double for the trainer and a treble for the jockey. 

Chelmsford results – Thursday:

4.45 – From The Hip (10/1)

5.15 – Far Too Fizzy (100/30)

5.45 – Applesandpears (11/10F)

6.15 – Fouette (6/1)

6.45 – Due Date (100/30)

7.15 – Dark Side Prince (2/1F)

7.45 – Cardinal Point (11/10F)

8.15 – Time Tested (100/30)