Chelmsford preview: Guest has an Excellent chance

David Metcalf | October 22, 2015

Excellent Guest can take advantage of a drop in the weights to score an overdue success in the 1m handicap on this evening’s card at Chelmsford (19.25).

The George Margarson’s eight-year-old has some decent form to his name in hot handicaps earlier in his career, including when winning the 2013 running of the class 2 Victoria Cup off a mark of 93.

Excellent Guest also showed that he retained plenty of ability when winning a classified contest at Ascot last October off an official rating of 87 and is now able to race off just 80.

That is his lowest rating in over five years, and gives Excellent Guest major claims from a handicapping perspective.

The gelding also comes into the contest having posted solid efforts of late which suggest his time is near.

They include an eye-catching third to Mujassam in a class 3 contest at Yarmouth two starts back, where Excellent Guest travelled strongly on the heels of the leaders before keeping on to be beaten 2 1/4 lengths.

The son of Exceed And Excel was also far from disgraced last time out in a decent class 4 contest at Ascot when 10th of 18 to Cricklewood Green, and this looks less competitive.

It’s also interesting that connections are refitting Excellent Guest with the cheekpieces, and if that has the desired effect he looks weighted to run a huge race in the hands of Tom Queally.

Emirates Comfort a safe bet

In the 1m 5f maiden (20.25), Emirates Comfort can build on a promising debut run to open her account.