Chelmsford preview: Excellent Guest holds solid claims
Published:
David Metcalf | December 21, 2015
Trainer George Margarson has his team in fine form, and Excellent Guest looks decent value to provide him with another winner in the 1m handicap on today’s card at Chelmsford (15.20).
The eight-year-old had some decent form to his name in hot handicaps earlier in his career, including when winning the 2013 running of the class 2 Victoria Cup off a mark of 93.
Excellent Guest also showed that he retained plenty of ability when winning a classified contest at Ascot last October off an official rating of 87 and is now able to race off just 78.
That gives the gelding major claims from a handicapping perspective, and Excellent Guest comes into the contest on the back of an eye-catching run last time out over course and distance.
After being held-up well off the pace by jockey Tom Queally, the son of Exceed And Excel was forced to make a move out very wide rounding the home turn before keeping on well to finish a never nearer 2 1/2 length third to Forceful Appeal.
Given how the race panned out it was a solid effort, and one which suggested Excellent Guest was ready to cash-in on his reduced mark.
Spencer can ride Fab Lolly to success
In the 7f handicap (14.50), the well-treated Fab Lolly is a fascinating contender now partnered by Jamie Spencer for the first time.
The James Bethell trained mare is on a long losing run, having not scored since landing back-to-backs contest at Kempton and Lingfield back in February 2014.
However, the five-year-old has posted some solid efforts to make the frame which read very well in the context of this class 5 contest.
They include a fine 1 3/4 length third to Don’t Be at Wolverhampton back in February in a class 3 affair off a mark of 78.
The winner is an ultra progressive sort who was completing a five-timer and has gone on to score three times since to be rated 99.
That gives the form a rock solid look, and Fab Lolly is now able to race off 8lb lower.
It makes the daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar dangerously handicapped on the pick of her form, and the booking of Spencer suggests connections mean business.
Selections
14.20: Dwight D
14.50: Fab Lolly (NB)
15.20: Excellent Guest (NAP)
15.50: Intransigent
16.20: Every Instinct
16.55: Tempuran
17.25: Two Sugars
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