Chelmsford 8.15 – Race Preview

This is a large, 13-runner field for a very low-grade (Class 6) 1-mile handicap. In a race this competitive and of this quality, proven course and distance (C&D) form is a massive advantage. Several runners in this field have never even run on an all-weather surface before, which puts them at a huge disadvantage.

This race is all about the course specialists, and two horses stand head and shoulders above the rest: Kessaar Power and Cinderella Man, both of whom won over this exact C&D in the last 14 days.

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The Main Contenders

1. KESSAAR POWER (OR 54)
   • Why he’s the one to beat: This horse is the definition of a course specialist. From 17 career starts at Chelmsford, he has 3 wins and 5 places. He won over this exact C&D just 7 days ago.
   • His 9th-place finish at Bath 3 days ago can be completely ignored—it was on heavy turf, a surface he clearly detests. The form from his win notes the trainer said he “benefitted from a return to the all-weather.” Back on his beloved Polytrack and carrying a 5lb penalty (for which he is still well-in), he is the one they all have to beat.
2. CINDERELLA MAN (OR 54)
   • Why he’s the main danger: He is the other last-time-out C&D winner, having won his first-ever race at this track 14 days ago. He showed a good attitude to win that day, and the handicapper has only raised him 2lbs (from OR 52 to 54), which is very fair. He is fresh, in form, and proven under these conditions.

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Best of the Rest

• MONKS MEAD (OR 49)
  • Another horse who is a C&D winner (Course_1-0-5, Dist_1-8-19). He is a 1-mile specialist who arrives here after two respectable 3rd-place finishes on turf. He’s been off for 65 days, but his proven ability at the track and trip puts him in the mix for a place.
• CHLOE’S COURAGE (OR 47)
  • This filly is in flying form, finishing 3rd and 2nd on her last two starts, the most recent being just 7 days ago. The major issue is that she is making her all-weather debut today. It’s a very difficult task to win on a new surface in a 13-runner field, but her recent form makes her a potential danger if she handles the Polytrack.

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Verdict

This race looks like a two-horse affair between the recent C&D winners.

KESSAAR POWER gets the narrow vote. His astounding record at Chelmsford (17 runs, 8 top-three finishes) is hard to oppose, and his poor run on heavy turf 3 days ago is a complete red herring. Cinderella Man is the obvious and most significant danger, having done nothing wrong in his own C&D victory two weeks ago. Monks Mead looks the most likely of the rest to hit the frame.

1. Kessaar Power
2. Cinderella Man
3. Monks Mead