Thursday 26th February 2026
Chelmsford
5.00 Chelmsford: For The Love Of Horses Restricted Novice Stakes
Eve Johnson Houghton holds a strong hand in this opener with FELIX GEM, who’s the mount of Callum Hutchinson. He showed significant progression on his second outing when finishing a neck second of five at Wolverhampton over a slightly further trip, where he also didn’t get the clearest of runs. He should continue to progress into his third start here, which makes him a big player. Blue Celestial is a danger for James Tate, on the back of his third-placed effort at Kempton last time out.
5.30 Chelmsford: Club Restaurant & Lounge Selling Stakes
This is a tricky affair; however, it could pay to keep the faith with EPICTETUS for the team of Jamie Osbourne and Jason Watson. It’s been a very long time between drinks for him, hence his appearance here; however, his close-up third at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start gives the impression that he still retains enough ability to win a race of this nature. Zoffandia comes into the race in form, having won last time out, and could be a big danger for Karl Burke.
6.00 Chelmsford: Cuppa For Dementia 17th March Handicap
The in-form THECOFFEEPODDOTCO could be the one to side with in this particular affair for Richard Hannon and Joe Leavy. She’s been in fine form throughout the winter and won again last time at Lingfield, beating Cayman Tai by a length when dropped back down to five furlongs. She looks rock-solid here, and a four-pound rise in the weight may not be enough to stop him. Arklow Lad is the unknown on stable debut for Mick Appleby; he was a three-length winner in Ireland, and could prove a big danger with market support.
6.30 Chelmsford: UK Garage Raceday 7th March Handicap
Tony Carroll’s DAMZON is very interesting here under seven-pound claimer Matthew Lloyd-Slater. With the rider’s seven-pound claim coming into play, he’s effectively a pound lower than when she won by seven lengths here last month, which has to make her a significant player. If she’s in the same form as she was on that occasion, she ought to go close. Smokey Malone has to be a big danger on the back of successive victories for the Birkett’s.
7.00 Chelmsford: Easter Festival On Sale Now Classified Stakes
FLICKA’S GIRL won a Classified event at this track over five furlongs back in January, and she’s run with credit back up in grade on her last two starts. She’s yet to win over six furlongs, however, given how she kept to her task when third last time out at Lingfield, the step back up looks justifiable. She looks solid back among classified company, and can go well again at this track. Poetic Jack would be a danger at this level if he turns up on a going day for Robert Cowell.
7.30 Chelmsford: Chelmsford Mile Series Qualifier Handicap
The Richard Hannon-trained six-year-old SIGNCASTLE CITY won over course and distance last time out, and despite being raised a couple of pounds for that success, has Tyrese Cameron taking five-pounds off his back for this particular assignmet. That makes him of serious interest, and it would be no surprise to see him post a bold bid to follow up. One that could prove a danger at a big price is Mr Cool for Charlie Johnston, he’s on a tumbling mark, and ran well at Lingfield last time out when finishing fourth.
8.00 Chelmsford: Dance Through The Decades 80s Handicap
It could be worth taking a chance on one at a big price in this competitive-looking affair, and GRAFFITI makes some appeal for Gary Brown, who’s the mount of five-pound claimer Jack Nicholls. He’s on a considerably lower mark than his last winning one, albeit that success came back in 2023. He ran with credit at Lingfield last time out when fourth, and has been eased a further pound by the handicapper, and also has a further five coming off his back via his rider. Silkies Sib is an obvious, very big danger for James Owen; he’s ultra-consistent and should be bang on the premises again.
5.00 Chelmsford – FELIX GEM (15/8) (Win) (NAP) – Blue Celestial (Danger)
5.30 Chelmsford – EPICTETUS (7/2) (Win) – Zoffandia (Danger)
6.00 Chelmsford – THECOFFEEPODDOTCO (10/3) (Win) – Arklow Lad (Danger)
6.30 Chelmsford – DAMZON (6/1) (Each-Way) – Smokey Malone (Danger)
7.00 Chelmsford – FLICKA’S GIRL (10/3) (Win) – Poetic Jack (Danger)
7.30 Chelmsford – SIGNCASTLE CITY (5/2) (Win) (NB) – Mr Cool (Danger)
8.00 Chelmsford – GRAFFITI (12/1) (Each-Way) – Silkies Sib (Danger)
