Turf Talk: Mambo Dancer should show all the right moves at Chelmsford

Mambo Dancer can add to his gains this winter with victory in the Bet Exacta At totesport.com Handicap at Chelmsford.
Trainer, Mark Johnston.Trainer, Mark Johnston.
Trainer, Mark Johnston.

The Mark Johnston-trained four-year-old has two wins from three outings so far this year, most recently at Wolverhampton earlier this month.

Racing over an extended two miles, he did really well to chase down Seaport after that one kicked three furlongs out, getting on top deep inside the final furlong and having plenty in hand of the strong-finishing Suegioo at the line.

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He has another 5lb to overcome for that success, but with only three previous outings at this sort of trip, there is room for a bit more progression yet.

Trainer Ruth Jefferson. PIC: Julian Herbert/PA WireTrainer Ruth Jefferson. PIC: Julian Herbert/PA Wire
Trainer Ruth Jefferson. PIC: Julian Herbert/PA Wire

Beautiful Memory can continue her progression in the Eat, Drink, Celebrate At channelsestate.co.uk Novice Stakes.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained filly showed promise in two seven-furlong juvenile starts, including when third in a useful novice event at this track in October, and it was no surprise to see her run out a very easy winner on her reappearance here last month.

All-weather sensation Spare Parts can add to his tally in the Bet Trifecta At totesport.com Handicap.

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The Phil McEntee-trained four-year-old has been one of the stories of the winter season, rattling up five victories so far this year, the latest coming in what was a decent race for the grade at Wolverhampton last weekend. Easy to back at Dunstall Park, he proved the market wrong to win from a career-high mark. Considering his trainer thought he might have been lacking a bit in sharpness after what for him was a mini-break, he should be cherry ripe for win number six of the campaign.

Trainer, Lucinda Russell. PIC: Ian Rutherford/PA WireTrainer, Lucinda Russell. PIC: Ian Rutherford/PA Wire
Trainer, Lucinda Russell. PIC: Ian Rutherford/PA Wire

Harbour Patrol can back up a recent Wolverhampton success in division one of the Bet Scoop6 At totesport.com Handicap, with Be Bold looking a reasonable option in the second division of the seven-furlong event.

Cyrus Darius can return to form and capture the Timeform Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso for the second successive year on Thursday.

The nine-year-old went on to Cheltenham for the Champion Hurdle after comfortably beating One For Harry by seven lengths last February, but he was well behind Buveur D’Air.

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Now after three runs over fences this season, connections have decided to revert to the smaller obstacles.

Trainer Ruth Jefferson. PIC: Julian Herbert/PA WireTrainer Ruth Jefferson. PIC: Julian Herbert/PA Wire
Trainer Ruth Jefferson. PIC: Julian Herbert/PA Wire

It would be a great achievement and poignant should Ruth Jefferson saddle Cyrus Darius to victory after taking over the reins from her late father, Malcolm.

Since making a winning debut over fences on this track in October, Big River rather lost his way at Haydock but showed signs of a revival when third at Warwick last time out.

Trainer Lucinda Russell sends him back to the Borders venue for the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase over the same distance of two miles, seven and a half furlongs and the eight-year-old is certainly worth another chance.

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Vocaliser can defy a 7lb penalty in the Fernie Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Leicester to complete a hat-trick.

Trainer, Lucinda Russell. PIC: Ian Rutherford/PA WireTrainer, Lucinda Russell. PIC: Ian Rutherford/PA Wire
Trainer, Lucinda Russell. PIC: Ian Rutherford/PA Wire

Trainer Robin Dickin is striking while the iron is hot, as the six-year-old has been in a rich vein of form, winning twice at Taunton already in 2018. His record on this course is good, too, with one victory and a second place in two runs there this season.

Chris Gordon’s team is in pretty good heart and Rothman can give the Hampshire trainer success in the Injured Jockeys Fund Chase at Fontwell. The eight-year-old ran a decent race when second to Mercian Prince at Kempton a month ago and can go one better.

TURF TALK TIPS

CHELMSFORD: 5.55 Ted’s Brother, 6.30 MAMBO DANCER (NAP), 7.00 Beautiful Memory (next best), 7.30 Spare Parts, 8.00 Harbour Patrol (treble), 8.30 Be Bold, 9.00 Volturnus.

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FONTWELL: 2.05 Mister Chow, 2.35 Brecon Hill, 3.10 Rothman, 3.45 Flemenskill, 4.20 Redmond, 4.55 Jaytrack Parkhomes.

KELSO: 1.25 Massini’s Lady, 1.55 Aye Right, 2.25 Cyrus Darius, 3.00 Big River, 3.35 Too Many Chiefs, 4.05 Pacha Du Polder, 4.40 Hitman Fred.

LEICESTER: 1.40 Skipping On, 2.15 Chateau Robin, 2.45 O Maonlai, 3.20 Vocaliser, 3.55 Pretty Reckless, 4.30 Grandturgeon.

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