Chelmsford and Wetherby previews: Rose ready to bloom

Under Siege to gun down rivals

In the 6f handicap (17:45), Under Siege can collect for in-form trainer David Simcock. This gelding bolted up by 3 1/4 lengths over course and distance three starts back and then ran a blinder at the track when beaten just 1/2 a length by Oriental Relation.

Under Siege also shaped better than the bare result suggests last time out at Kempton when a 1 1/2 length fifth to Stellarta, keeping on nicely having shown plenty of pace to chase the leaders and being forced to make a move out wide under 7lb claimer Sophie Killoran.

The four-year-old now gets the professional services of Martin Harley in the saddle, and is able to race in this off 1lb lower.

That gives Under Siege every chance from a handicapping perspective, and the son of Invincible Spirit is clearly well suited to the track.

Chelmsford selections

17.45: Under Siege (NB)
18.15: Truth Or Dare
18.45: Mise En Rose (NAP)
19.15: Red Hot Chilly
19.45: Taqdees
20.15: Amour de Nuit
20.45: Top Boy

Pay The King weighted to strike at Wetherby

Pay The King will relish the drying ground at Wetherby and can cash-in on a drop in the weights to land an overdue success in the 2m 5f handicap chase (19:00).

The gelding had some useful form over hurdles earlier in his career when trained by Paul Nicholls, and made a winning debut over the obstacles for Micky Hammond when scoring at this venue by a head off an official rating of 115.

Things haven’t gone to plan since that successes, with Pay The King managing to make the frame on just four occasions from 14 starts.

However, two of those have come in his latest starts and the nine-year-old has been dropped a further 5lb since finishing runner-up over course and distance when last seen in action.

Pay The King is now able to race off a career-low rating of 87, and that gives him outstanding claims at the weights on the pick of his form.

The son of King’s Theatre has also run his best races on the good ground that he now gets for the first time in ages and, with Joe Colliver in the saddle taking off another 3lb with his claim, everything looks in place for Pay The King to get back on the scoresheet.

Rock A Doodle Doo each-way value

In the 2m 3f handicap hurdle that closes proceedings (20:30), Rock A Doodle Doo looks capable of going well at a big price.

The Sally Hall trained nine-year-old has just one win to his name over the obstacles, and that came at this venue 14 months ago when he kept on strongly from off the pace to land a class 4 contest by 1 1/2 lengths off a mark of 117 on good ground.

Rock A Doodle Doo got put up to 122 for the victory, and has failed to sparkle in two starts after 356 days on the sidelines.

However, those runs have both been in class 3 contests on soft ground and the handicapper has been quick to lend a hand.

Rock A Doodle Doo is now able to race of 117 again, and drops back down into class 4 company.

That gives the son of Oratorio every chance at the weights, and it would be no surprise to see Rock A Doodle Doo put in a much better showing now returned to a sounder surface.

Wetherby selections

17.30: Champagne To Go
18.00: Souriyan
18.30: Young Dillon
19.00: Pay The King (NAP)
19.30: Sirpertan
20.00: Young Hurricane
20.30: Rock A Doodle Doo (NB)

Related

You’ll find more tips and race previews from Chester’s May Festival on our horse racing section.