Chelmsford Tips: Gosden contender can be Flawless on second start

Thursday is another busy day across Britain and Ireland with seven meetings comprising 49 races on the agenda. There's a mixture of codes to enjoy, with Flat action from Chester's May Festival alongside jumps meetings at Huntingdon, Stratford and Tipperary.

The final stop will be Chelmsford, the lone all-weather card, where they race from 18:30-21:00 on Thursday evening, and I've got three Chelmsford tips for your consideration.

19:00 – D Flawless @ 4/5

The second event on the evening at Chelmsford is a Maiden Fillies' Stakes over a mile and the pair that stand out are Lakota Spirit for Richard Hannon and D FLAWLESS for John & Thady Gosden.

The former, by Sioux Nation, has two starts behind her and was second-best at Kempton over 7f on her first outing of 2024. She can play her part but the Clarehaven representative is preferred.

A filly by Make Believe, she debuted at Kempton in December over 7f and was nosed out of the win by Charlie Johnston's Arisaig – that rival having had the benefit of a debut win here in October and contesting a Listed race at Deauville in November. She also ran well on handicap bow at Newmarket last month off a mark of 83.

D Flawless is back from 155 days off now but should have learned plenty in that debut run at Kempton, while improvement is likely now upped in trip.

19:30 – Easy Equation @ 5/2

Two miles is the trip for the Russell, Rogers, Palmer Race Handicap and after scoring at Wolverhampton 12 days ago over a similar distance, Wannabe Brave will be the one to beat.

James Fanshawe's 5YO joins the likes of former C&D winner Grand Duchess Olga and top-weight Smokey Malone in the mix, but this could be the spot for EASY EQUATION.

He's not a prolific winner (2-20 on the all-weather) but since joining Charlie Fellowes last year he has posted figures of 2322 in four runs at Southwell, Lingfield and Newcastle – all over this staying trip.

He's been knocking on the door and this first visit to Essex might see him getting his reward for consistency.

20:30 – Reaching High @ 9/4

Recent Brighton winner The African Queen is a contender under her penalty but giving 8lb to handicap debutant REACHING HIGH might prove too much.

The gelded son of Sea The Stars shaped with some promise in 7f maidens at Sandown and Yarmouth last season and it was a similar tale on seasonal return last month at Windsor, upped in distance to this trip.

He was slow from the gates and raced in rear, before making some late gains to finish a never-nearer sixth of 13 runners. That should have blown off any winter cobwebs and it will be a surprise if a mark of 74 is not within his scope.

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights