Captain Can Go Well At A Price At Chelmsford

A poor run from The Nutcracker yesterday. She looked flat, and looks to need a good rest after a long campaign. There will be other days for her in the future. Today's selection goes at Chelmsford and has caught my eye for a number of reasons.

Captain Gerald lines up in the 5.55 and comes here after a no more than respectable effort in a claimer last time. However, there is reason to believe a better effort could be in the offing today. He has run well at the track before, a close 2nd over a mile, so his ability to handle the surface is not in doubt.

He has had one run over 10f, and was sent off at 11/2 so he was obviously expected to run well by connections. He did just that, and had every chance in the final furlong before getting squeezed for room close home, causing his jockey to snatch up. While he wouldn't have won he definitely would have got closer than the 3L he was beaten by in the end, and he showed that 10f should pose no problems. The dam side of his pedigree suggests the same thing.

He is well drawn in stall 1, and the cheekpieces have been removed. Martin Harley comes in for the ride, which is a big positive. He has been riding out of his skin this season, and when he is booked by John Ryan it is worth taking note. He has 2 wins and 2 places from just 6 rides for Mr.Ryan.

He runs off a mark of 55, 3lb lower than he was for that Bath run, and all things considered I think a big run could be on the cards this evening. He looks a massive price at 16/1 and is surely worthy of a few quid each way.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 5.55 CHELMSFORD-CAPTAIN GERALD 16/1 (E/W)