Chelmsford and Nottingham previews: Mustaaqeem can collect for in-form Stoute
Published:
David Metcalf | August 2, 2016
Mustaaqeem makes plenty of appeal at Chelmsford
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has his team in fine form and Mustaaqeem can provide him with another winner in the 1m handicap on this evening’s card at Chelmsford (19.20).
The gelding looked a smart prospect when winning at Doncaster on his second start as a juvenile and has posted three solid efforts in hot handicaps this season.
After finishing an eye-catching sixth of 15 to You’re Fired on return to action in a competitive class 2 contest over 1m at Haydock, Mustaaqeem only weakened late on to finish fifth of 13 to Azraff in a similar grade affair at Newbury.
The three-year-old was then given a break before finishing a fine fourth to Move Up over 1m 2f at Ascot last month.
Mustaaqeem raced far too keenly in the early stages but still held every chance inside the final furlong until weakening close home to be beaten three lengths.
It was a fine effort and the winner has since gone on to finish a close-up third in a decent contest at Glorious Goodwood to give the form a solid look.
The drop back to 1m also looks sure to suit Mustaaqeem and this class 3 contest is the easiest assignment he has faced so far this season.
Entsar primed to open account
Entsar has shaped with plenty of promise in two starts and looks the answer to the 1m 2f maiden (20.20).
The William Haggas trained filly was given a tender introduction when fourth of 13 on debut at Newbury and backed that up with a solid third to Ruscombe at Doncaster.
Entsar showed plenty of pace to track the leaders in the latter and, after taking up the running three from home, only got headed deep inside the final furlong to be beaten just 1 1/4 lengths.
It was an excellent effort in what looked a warm race for the graded and one which suggested the three-year-old would have little difficulty winning a race of this nature.
Another plus is that Haggas is in red-hot form at the present having saddled six winners from his last 13 runners and, with Frankie Dettori in the saddle, this looks a nice opportunity to Entsar to get off the mark.
Chelmsford selections
18.20: Spiritual Lady
18.50: See The Sea
19.20: Mustaaqeem (NAP)
19.50: The Begum
20.20: Entsar (NB)
20.50: Thomas Blossom
21.20: The Burnham Mare
Emerald Loch a Nottingham gem
Emerald Loch has a progressive profile and can defy a rise in the weights to land the 6f handicap on this evening’s card at Nottingham (19.05).
Trained by Ralph Beckett, the filly has shown improved form since going handicapping and won two of her last three starts.
In the last of those at Carlisle, Emerald Loch showed bags of early dash to track the leaders and, after being produced to take up the running inside the final furlong, stayed on strongly to beat Forever A Lady by 1/2 a length.
The three-year-old only had to be driven out to score with more in hand than the winning margin suggests and a 4lb rise could well prove to be on the lenient side.
Another plus is that Beckett has a healthy strike rate of 25 per cent with his runners at the venue in the last 12 months, and Emerald Loch is versatile as regards ground and looks the type who should have even more to offer.
Lawyer can cash-in on class drop
In the 1m handicap (20.05), Lawyer looks capable of defying top weight now eased in grade.
The David Barron trained gelding got his head back in front for nearly a year when landing a class 5 contest at Ripon three starts back by 1 1/4 lengths and has since posted two solid efforts in class 4 affairs at the same venue and Newmarket.
Lawyer stayed on well in the latter to finish a 2 1/2 length fifth of 10 to Easter Mate and it was an effort which suggested his current mark of 73 was exploitable.
The five-year-old now drops back down into class 5 company, the same as when last successful, and this looks a weak race for the grade lacking any real strength in depth.
Nottingham selections
17.35: Gilgamesh
18.05: See The City
18.35: Idyllic
19.05: Emerald Loch (NAP)
19.35: Balance
20.05: Lawyer (NB)
20.35: Dor’s Law
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