Evening Racing Preview – Southwell & Chelmsford
Another evening where the all-weather quietly asks serious questions. Southwell will test whether they truly stay, Chelmsford will test whether they truly think — and somewhere in between, a few of these will look very well handicapped… right up until they aren’t.
14:07 Southwell – Mademoiselle Belle
Mademoiselle Belle looks a lively enough contender, carrying around 9st 2lb, which leaves her slightly better off than a few of these.
From the Alice Haynes yard, with Kieran O’Neill likely to ride, she should be ridden with patience. The key at Southwell is not doing too much too early — which sounds obvious, but is ignored with impressive consistency.
If she’s still travelling turning in, she could be one of those passing everything late while others begin to wonder why the finish line keeps moving.
16:37 Southwell – Numero Vingt
Numero Vingt lines up carrying around 9st 5lb, very similar to recent runs, so the handicapper has essentially said “same again”.
From the Scott Dixon yard, with Phil Dennis likely aboard, he should be kept in a steady rhythm. If he handles the surface and is within striking distance late, he could be involved.
Southwell doesn’t reward drama — it rewards persistence. Which is less exciting, but far more effective.
17:07 Southwell – Ramon Di Loria
Ramon Di Loria carries around 9st 6lb, giving a few pounds away to some rivals, including Mademoiselle Belle earlier on the card.
From the Marco Botti yard, with Hollie Doyle likely riding, he should be ridden more prominently. If he gets into a rhythm and avoids doing too much early, he could be hard to pass.
The concern is simple — Southwell tends to notice weight in the final furlong, and it’s not shy about pointing it out.
18:00 Chelmsford – Combustion
Combustion looks one of the more straightforward runners, carrying around 9st 7lb, which is broadly unchanged from recent efforts.
From the George Boughey yard, with Billy Loughnane likely to ride, he should be well positioned just off the pace. If he turns for home in touch, he may not need to improve much.
Chelmsford tends to reward those who travel smoothly and don’t panic — which, conveniently, he appears to do.
19:00 Chelmsford – Fiddlers Green / Smokey Malone
Fiddlers Green carries around 9st 4lb and could be the slightly better treated of the pair.
From the John Butler yard, with a patient ride likely, he may be the one finishing stronger if things fall right.
Smokey Malone, meanwhile, carries around 9st 7lb and brings experience. From the Stuart Williams yard, with Marco Ghiani likely riding, he’s the one you’d expect to be in the right place at the right time.
One has the weight edge, the other has the know-how — which usually means they’ll meet at the exact worst moment for anyone trying to choose between them.
19:30 Chelmsford – Diamond Dreamer / Clover Time
Diamond Dreamer looks a strong contender, carrying around 9st 6lb, very similar to recent runs.
From the David Evans yard, he should be kept handy and could get first run. If he does, he may be difficult to reel in.
Clover Time, carrying around 9st 4lb, is slightly better off and from a yard that knows how to place these types. With a more patient ride likely, he could be the one finishing best.
This looks like one where the early move looks right… until it suddenly isn’t.
Best Bet of the Day
18:00 Chelmsford – Combustion
Carries a solid weight, comes from a yard that gets these right, and has a jockey who rarely mistimes things around here.
In a card full of variables, he looks the one least likely to create his own problems.
Selections
14:07 Southwell – Mademoiselle Belle – 1 pt each way
16:37 Southwell – Numero Vingt – 1 pt each way
17:07 Southwell – Ramon Di Loria – 1 pt each way
18:00 Chelmsford – Combustion – 1 pt win
19:00 Chelmsford – Fiddlers Green / Smokey Malone – split
19:30 Chelmsford – Diamond Dreamer / Clover Time – split
