This looks a fairly typical low-grade Chelmsford sprint where recent form and early track position tend to decide the outcome. The field is small but the pace should be solid, and at five furlongs round here the race is usually dominated by those racing prominently.
Desdemona comes into the race in the best form. She finally got her head back in front at Lingfield ten days ago, travelling strongly and putting the race to bed late on. That followed two solid placed efforts and suggests she has turned a corner after sliding down the handicap. Although she has been raised 5lb for the win, Ryan Kavanagh’s 5lb claim effectively cancels that out, leaving her very well treated on current evidence. Drawn in stall two, she should be able to sit close to the pace and get first run when the race develops.
Buraback rates the main danger. He is a course and distance winner and returned to form when finishing second here last time. The winner of that race has already boosted the form which gives the performance a bit more substance. From stall one he should get a good position on the rail and he is likely to be in the firing line turning for home. The concern is that he has become a bit of a regular placer and at short odds there is not a great deal of value.
Top Star is interesting after a much improved effort when second at Southwell on his first run for the Dean Ivory yard. If that run can be built upon he is handicapped to be competitive, although he still needs to prove he can reproduce it.
Sir Rodneyredblood is a multiple course-and-distance winner and cannot be completely dismissed at this level, but he is now nine years old and his recent form suggests his winning days may be becoming less frequent.
The rest of the field look exposed or out of form. Daley T remains a maiden after plenty of chances, Master Zack returns from a lengthy break, and both Battle Point and Hi Hoh Tonto have a fair bit to prove.
In a race lacking depth, the one arriving with the strongest and most consistent recent form is Desdemona. With the claim offsetting the rise in the weights and a favourable draw to attack from, she looks the most likely winner. Buraback should make a race of it but may again have to settle for second best.