PADDOCKS PATENT (WEDNESDAY)

14:30 Chelmsford

The afternoon starts for us on the artificial surface at Chelmsford City for a six-furlong race where a few of these are in good form.

Paul D’Arcy’s Spring Loaded is on a bit of a role having won two of his last four with the other two races placing second. He won in commanding fashion at Windsor eight days ago and the handicapper hasn’t taken any chances putting him up 12lb for that success and probably accounting for his recent run. Callum Shepherd takes the ride using his useful 7lb claim. This grey gelding is one key player in this race.

Another player is Varsovian, who is looking for a four-timer and the Chelmsford hat-trick. Dean Ivory’s charge was in top form prior to a break of 202-days. The last of those three wins came in a weak handicap but he won it well. He would need to find a bit more in this race to have a chance of winning off this career high mark.

Magnus Maximus is formerly of Richard Hannon where he was rated in the low hundreds. He hadn’t shown too much for Nick Littmoden until last month when winning a big-field handicap at Ascot seeing off Spring Loaded and then went close at Newmarket in a similar race off a higher mark. In the past he has won and placed at Kempton, so this track should suit him, as he likes to race prominently, and drawn well in stall three could help see him get his head in front.

Michael Wigham’s Elis Eliz had been hitting the frame until the start of the month when she finally got her head back in front at Kempton seeing off Salvatore Fury. She showed good battling qualities in the finish that day and drawn near to Magnus Maximus could see them fight it out. Rio Ronaldo warrants a mention. He got off the mark at Wolverhampton but his wins since have been at Windsor. The wide draw in stall 13 isn’t ideal but he does have some class about him on his day.

Magnus Maximus (E/W)

14:40 Fakenham

Our second contest comes over the obstacles, and the taller ones at that, for an extended two-mile handicap chase.

Let’s get straight in there and the selection is Be On Time. This four-year-old was recruited from Monsieur Cherel in France where he was consistent without winning. He shaped encouragingly on stable debut for Jamie Snowden at Worcester two weeks ago beating Helium by a neck and that second bolted up the other day. Up 5lb for that success but there looked more to come from him and he still gets the weight allowance here, so he can quickly double up.

Off top weight one of the dangers is Artifice Sivola representing Lucy Wadham. This five-year-old won over course and distance last March under the stewardship of one AP McCoy. This grey was well-beaten in May when last seen but if able to bounce back from that then he’ll be in contention trying the usual tactic of front-running.

Sportsreport wasn’t beaten by far in May at Worcester but his last two wins have come at Lingfield in heavy ground off marks in the nineties, which could make him vulnerable here. Money For Nothing is consistent after finishing second on his last four efforts but the six-year-old is still a maiden.

Be On Time (WIN)

15:40 Fakenham

We stay at Fakenham for our final selection for a handicap chase over the extended two-miles-and-five-furlongs.

Leighton Aspell has chosen to ride Road To Freedom for Lucy Wadham instead of Milgen Bay. I’m not sure what to make of that but these two look the pair to concentrate on.

Road To Freedom won very comfortably at Southwell in a Novices’ Hurdle in May and returns to the larger obstacles where he hasn’t been totally convincing. He will have been schooled over summer and does have the potential to improve. This is a weak race and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him win. There is stamina in his breeding on his dam’s side however you can’t be totally convinced by the form he has shown.

Milgen Bay gets the nod as he has race fitness on his side after a summer campaign. Oliver Sherwood’s charge as tried a few trips and was third of five in a three mile chase at Kempton. This trip shouldn’t be a problem after he won over two-and-a-half-miles in April off 106. He races off a mark of 108 and Thomas Garner claims 3lb making him nicely weighted plus he receives weight off Road To Freedom. Plenty of experience over fences and a solid jumper, so he could be the one to beat.

Midnight Charmer’s form isn’t the best however he is one that could now prove well handicapped back down in the low hundreds and does have a course and distance win to his name. Ben Case has Vesuvhill who ran in a good Novices’ Chase at Market Rasen in May however the trainer isn’t in the best of form and you’d need to see more from him here.

Milgen Bay (E/W)