Chelmsford Tips: Sir Rodney to give a royal performance

The sole flat action on Thursday comes from Chelmsford where there is a seven-race card to get stuck into from 17:25 until 20:30.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

17:25 - Stintino Sunset @ 18/1

The opening race has the biggest field of the meeting, with 13 scheduled to go down to post for this Apprentice Handicap over 1m 2f, and Stintino Sunset looks like the one to keep on side.

Owned by The Stevedores, the five-year-old won over course-and-distance back in November 2023, fending off Private Bryan to win by a length-and-a-half.

After some solid runs at Newcastle, Kempton and Nottingham last year, the J&S Birkett-trained charge returned to the winners' circle at Windsor in a 1m 3f handicap in September, edging out Pysanka by a neck.

A runners-up finish at Windsor followed before a creditable fourth at Southwell in November on last outing, with the first three home that day all winning since.

Stintino Sunset is a consistent sort and looks capable of putting in a bold performance in a race covered by Betfred's extra place promotion, with the first four paid out at a fifth of the odds.

19:00 - Sir Rodneyredblood @ 7/2

A seven-runner 5f Handicap is race four on the card and course specialist Sir Rodneyredblood can add another victory at the Essex track to his CV.

The Claire Goddard-owned chestnut gelding is a five-time course-and-distance winner, the most recent of those coming last time out in February when overcoming So Obsessed by a neck.

Another strong performance is expected from the eight-year-old, who has shown an affection for this track and looks capable of getting the better of likely closest rival Rebel Star.

Rebel Star is a low-mileage filly that gets a pull at the weights, but there is more confidence in Sir Rodneyredblood crossing the line first in a race where Betfred are paying three places instead of two.

19:30 - Detain @ 7/4

Another race covered by Betfred's extra place promotion is the 19:30, with the first three paid out, and seven runners are set to contest what is a Conditions Stakes over 1m.

Yaroogh could be a big contender if managing to replicate his two-year-old form and Port Light is worth watching now stepping up in class, but the nod goes to the Juddmonte-owned Detain.

The three-year-old showed plenty of promise when winning 7f novices at Kempton on his first two starts, finishing two lengths clear of Afentiko in August last year before cruising to a seven-length success over Fosroc in October.

Detain was well beaten at Doncaster in October on his last outing, finishing sixth in the Group 1 Futurity, but a return to the all-weather should bring the best out of him.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.