Chelmsford preview: Attain the ace in the pack

David Metcalf | January 6, 2016

Attain was a big eye-catcher last time out, and can take advantage of a handy mark to land the 1m 2f handicap that opens proceedings on today’s card at Chelmsford (12.30).

The Julia Feilden trained seven-year-old is a three-time winner on the all-weather, and was last successful at Lingfield seven months ago when scoring gamely by a head off a mark of 64.

It’s fair to say that Attain’s form has been very hit and miss since then, but the gelding hinted that he was on his way back when a fine third of 10 to Power Up over course and distance last month.

After racing in touch travelling strongly, Attain was making good headway when denied a clear run a furlong from home and found himself short of room with nowhere to go.

It left the son of Dansili with a hopeless task, but when Attain did eventually see daylight he ran on strongly to be gaining at the finish and be beaten 3 1/4 lengths.

To me, Attain finished with running left in him, and in the circumstances it was a fine effort given how the race panned out.

Attain is able to race in this off an unchanged mark of 60, 4lb lower than when last successful, and that gives him major claims of gaining compensation and getting back on the winning trail.

Borough Boy worth a bet

In the 5f handicap (13.00), Borough Boy looks to have plenty going for him.