2.50 Chelmsford: Class 6 Handicap, 7f

Doesn’t look a strong race and the likely absence of any significant pace will give some suspect stayers of this distance a chance to get home stronger than usual.

One that fits into this category is Media Guest. The move to a new new yard is a bit of a question mark, but the 5-year-old looked in fine form when he caught the eye over this course and distance only last month.

He travelled quite well on the inside for a long time, still on the bridle upon entering the straight. There were moments you thought if he gets a clear run he can win. But he didn’t get out, was short of room multiple times.

The race was way too hot as well. Hence the drop into 0-65 appears significant today. The gelding has a poor win record, however would have a second W to his name if not having been demoted at Chelmsford earlier this year over this distance.

Generally, 7f stretches his stamina to absolute maximum. With the pace probably not overly hot here, he has every chance to get home, though, especially against much easier opposition off a career lowest mark.

Of course, Media Guest may be a bit keen in the early parts, if the pace is slow, and it’s probably down to solid 7lb claiming Liam Wright to make smart decisions as soon as the gates open.

Drawn in #4 he’s got plenty of options, and the most intriguing one would be if he bounces out of the gate to attack the race from the front. Media Guest is at his best if racing prominently, at the very least, so the setup looks perfect for him to simply move forward and do his own thing, if nobody else wants to do it.

He’s stone cold in the betting this morning. I guess the direction of the odds may tell us whether he’s on a going day…. saying that, this race looks like served on a plate for him to grab by the horns. So here’s hoping for a strong performance.

10pts win – Media Guest @ 8/1