CHELMSFORD CITY 15:10

All 11 ran.

Time: 1m 12.32s Closing Sectional: (3f): 37.2s (97.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 99.3%

A competitive handicap but perhaps not so strong a race as it promised to be given that several of the more likely players were below form, the finish fought out between a couple of outsiders, though that's not to crab the performance of the winner, who proved better than ever to land the hat-trick; the gallop was sound.

TROJAN ROCKET (IRE) completed hat-trick, proving better than ever in the process as he defied this career-high mark; tracked pace, travelled fluently, effort entering straight, edged ahead over 1f out, tackled last ½f, battled well; in cracking form at present and will continue to give a good account, for all that there's a chance that even higher marks will find him out.

BASIL BERRY ran up to best after 5 months off; raced wide, mid-division, smooth progress home turn, effort 1f out, edged left, kept on, just failed; likely to continue in form.

STEELRIVER (IRE) in first-time visor, wasted no time getting back to form dropped back to a more suitable trip, every chance the way this developed; held up, travelled as well as any, good headway over 1f out, stayed on; should remain competitive.

MAPPIN TIME (IRE) ran creditably after 6 months off; held up, ridden over 2f out, still plenty to do over 1f out, ran on late, never nearer; just about as high as he's ever been in the weights right now but entitled to be sharper for this so should continue to give a good account, consistent in the late-winter/spring of last year.

GLEN MOSS (IRE) having a rare start at 6f nowadays, ran creditably on first outing since leaving David Brown after 4 months off; close up, effort over 1f out, one paced; he's largely consistent and should be suited by a return to 7f.

FEAR OR FAVOUR (IRE) ran below form after 9 months off, perhaps in need of this; in touch, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, one paced; he's lightly-raced for his age and shaped as if ahead of this sort of mark at Newmarket when last seen, so certainly isn't one to be writing off.

GUISHAN turned out under a penalty, was easy to back and wasn't in the same form as last time after just 6 days off, though went off hard enough here; disputed lead, headed over 1f out, faded.

PRETEND (IRE) proved to be a disappointment back in a handicap; held up, took strong hold, headway home turn, shaken up over 1f out, no extra; he's lightly-raced and had impressed in victory on his last couple of starts, so is worth another chance.

MAJOR CRISPIES attracted support but failed to come on for recent run, not entirely surprising given his profile; dwelt, in rear, went with little fluency, never on terms.

FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (IRE) proved to be a disappointment after an eye-catching run last time, the change of tactics backfiring somewhat as he ended up doing a bit too much too soon; disputed lead, struggling 2f out, weakened.

MAGNUS MAXIMUS was well held, his form in a small-field minor event last time hardly solid; mid-division, off the bridle before most, left behind 2f out.