Thursday 5th November 2026
06:10 Flemington – (Crown Oaks) (G1) (1m 4 1/2f)
Despite the wide draw, David Payne’s unbeaten filly PROXIMA DEA remains the one to beat under Zac Lloyd. She last ran when she won the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Randwick last month, where she also faced a wide berth. It’s likely that there is still significant improvement to come from her, and she already looks like a very smart stayer. Another big performance would be no shock here. Chris Waller’s De Armas looks the main danger, with a mention also going to Icelady, who represents the Melbourne Cup-winning team of Ciaran Maher and Ethan Brown.
Selection: Proxima Dea – (13/10) (Win)
1.57: Chelmsford – (Class 6 Handicap) (1m 2f)
Three-year-old LABICHE is an eight-race maiden; however, he posted his best effort to date last time out at Wolverhampton, finishing half a length fourth of eight, on what was his first outing for James Owen. He had to switch in the run that day, yet still kept on well in the closing stages. He remains on the same mark here, and has to be of serious interest down in grade for a trainer who often finds plenty of improvement with his new recruits, with Billy Loughnane in the saddle.
Selection: Labiche – (10/3) (Win) (NB)
2.30 Chelmsford – (Class 6 Handicap) (1m 2f)
Similarly to the previous race, EIGHTY EIGHT posted a highly encouraging effort on his stable debut for James Owen at Wolverhampton last time out. In his case, finishing second of ten over a mile and half of a furlong, and two and a quarter lengths behind the eventual winner. He was hampered at the start on that occasion and was also forced wide; he remains on the same mark here, and it would be no surprise to see him make amends under Cieren Fallon.
Selection: Eighty Eight – (9/4) (Win)
3.05 Chelmsford – (Class 6 Nursery Handicap) (1m 2f)
Ed Dunlop’s CHAISE LOUNGE looks particularly strong here under Robert Havlin. She’s progressed markedly since going into handicap company, finishing a neck second of ten at Yarmouth on his penultimate start, before going one better next time out, where she won by half a length, and going away, at the same track over seven furlongs, both runs coming under Havlin. She moves up in distance here, which looks sure to suit given how he won last time out, and the fact she’s by State Of Rest. A bold follow-up bid looks likely off just a three-pound higher mark.
Selection: Chaise Lounge – (5/2) (Win) (NAP)
3.40 Chelmsford – (Class 4 Handicap) (2m)
It could pay to side with the Sheena West-trained MR FREEDOM here, who’s the mount of Charlie Bishop. He ran well at Goodwood last time out over today’s distance, finishing a length second of twelve, and will contest this particular contest off just a pound higher mark, which is six pounds below his last winning one. He may well also appreciate the switch to the all-weather here, and if he turns up in the same form as he did at Goodwood, he shouldn’t be too far away.
Selection: Mr Freedom – (7/2) (Win)
