Chelmsford 7.15 – Race Preview

This is a 10-runner, 1-mile handicap (Class 5, 0-75) on the Chelmsford Polytrack. In a field this size, course form is a significant advantage, and several runners have shown their best on this specific all-weather surface.

The top and bottom of the handicap tell a story. Waiting All Night arrives in winning form but is burdened with a massive 10-1, while Pacifist sits at the other end with just 9-1 and boasts strong recent course form.

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The Main Contenders

1. PACIFIST (OR 65)
   • Why she’s a contender: This filly looks to have the strongest claims. Her profile shows she ran an excellent 2nd over this exact course and distance (C&D) on September 18th, only beaten by a head. That run was in a Class 6, but she’s now in a Class 5 with a tiny weight of 9-1. She is receiving 14lbs from the top-rated Sheikh Raj and a huge 1st 0lbs (14 pounds) from Waiting All Night. She is proven under these conditions and is weighted to win.
2. SUMMER HEAT (OR 74)
   • Why she’s a contender: She comes here in great form, having finished a strong 2nd at this track just 21 days ago. That run was over 1m 2f, but she led until the final 110 yards, suggesting this drop back to 1m will not be a problem. The booking of top jockey Oisin Murphy is a major plus, and she’s clearly in good health.
3. DALMALLY (OR 69)
   • Why he’s a contender: This is a true course specialist. While he has 0 wins from 3 starts at Chelmsford, he has placed in 2 of those 3 runs. He clearly loves the track. His last run at Brighton is easy to forgive, as the jockey reported he “ran too free.” Before that, he ran a great 2nd at Windsor. If he settles, he is a massive danger on his favourite surface.

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Potential Dangers & Question Marks

• WAITING ALL NIGHT (OR 76)
  • This horse is the “in-form” runner, having won at this course just 7 days ago over 7f. However, that victory means he’s running under a penalty, and his allotted weight of 10-1 is a huge burden to carry against lighter-weighted rivals. The step back up to 1m is also a question.
• SHEIKH RAJ (OR 75)
  • He is very consistent, finishing 2nd and 3rd on his last two starts, but he now carries top weight (9-11). His best form has come over 7f, and he is 0-from-2 at this 1-mile distance, which makes him vulnerable.
• LUMINOSO (OR 71)
  • This filly is very lightly raced with only 3 starts. Her 2nd place on debut (at 1m) was promising, but she hasn’t improved since. She’s a potential “improver,” but others have much more solid claims.

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Verdict

This race looks like a fantastic opportunity for PACIFIST. She is proven over the course and distance, is in good recent form, and has a significant weight advantage over all her main rivals.

Summer Heat looks like the most likely challenger, bringing her own strong track form and a top jockey. Dalmally is the specialist who could easily bounce back and run into a place at a track he clearly loves.

1. Pacifist
2. Summer Heat
3. Dalmally