Diamond Could Sparkle Up In Trip At Chelmsford

Bilbo Bagins travelled well for a long way at Fairyhouse, and 6f out I was sure he would get a place at least. The leaders got away from him though, and he was allowed to come home in his own time once a top 4 finish was out of reach. 

Perhaps the run came too soon after his promising effort at Navan, and if Murray freshens him up he could be dangerous on his next start. Do not lose faith in him yet, particularly seeing as the handicapper has dropped him 2lbs to a mark of 98.

Derek Shaw leading in stable stalwart Top Boy at York. 

Wednesday’s selection takes his chance in the lucky last at Chelmsford, and I think Diamond Indulgence has been crying out for this step up to 7f. Okay, she flopped over the distance when she tried it at Southwell, but she has stayed on nicely over 6f on her first two handicap runs. She is bred to stay at least 7f too.

This 4yo daughter of Cockney Rebel is bred, trained and owned by the shrewd Shaw yard, and Derek could be in the doghouse if he doesn’t get a win out of her for Lynsey. She is out of a 7f half sister to a 9f Grade 3 winner. 

Diamond Indulgence has had four starts so far, and she has shown definite promise on four of those starts. She has yet to force her way into the first three, but off a mark of 48, 2lb lower than when beaten just 3.75L at Newcastle with a talented claimer taking off another 5lb, she looks weighted to run a big race here.

Her running style has suggested that 7f would suit, and with a clearer run she might have finished even closer at Kempton last time. She finished 4th, a good 6L behind Whaleweigh Station, but she was only getting 3lbs from that rival that day. 

This time, with O’Donnell’s claim, she is getting over a stone from her and, with a clearer run over this extra furlong, she can close the gap. At odds of 14/1 she looks well worth chancing each way in an open looking contest.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 17.10 CHELMSFORD DIAMOND INDULGENCE E/W 14/1