CHELMSFORD CITY 15:50

Non Runners: BALLARD DOWN (IRE).

Time: 1m 36.53s Closing Sectional: (3f): 37s (97.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 135%, Betfair SP 96.3%

Even with a strong pace not that many got involved in this and the draw definitely had an impact as most of those from wide starting positions struggled to land any blow at all; as such it wasn't as competitive a race as it had the potential to be but the 3 that filled the places all have strong form to their name so it's worth taking a positive view of them.

SENIORITY seems more the finished article mentally this year and is progressing, 2 from 2 since returning, defying a 2 lb rise in a hotter race than for last month's C&D win, helped by the strong pace but still doing well given he was drawn wider and came from further back than other principals; mid-field, travelled smoothly, good headway over 2f out, switched over 1f out, led inside final 1f, stayed on well; connections will quite rightly have their eyes on some of the heritage handicaps back on turf now, entered in the Hunt Cup and John Smith's Cup, and back up in trip the latter appeals as a most suitable option if he goes up enough in the weights to sneak in.

VIA SERENDIPITY is running consistently well, this a career-best effort in defeat, finding only a progressive rival too good, and the point to focus on is his decisive beating of the rest; chased leaders, not clear run early in straight, switched over 1f out, second final 1f, kept on well without being a match for the winner; the Bunbury Cup is an interesting option for him as a strongly-run 7f is fine for him and he's won twice at Newmarket, albeit on the Rowley Mile.

WAR GLORY (IRE) whose rider put up 1 lb overweight, may not have won for almost 2 years but there's nothing wrong with his attitude and this was another good placed effort to add to several last season, back to something like his best; chased leaders, switched around 2f out, led soon after, headed inside final 1f, one paced; he should remain competitive, not hard to find weaker handicaps than this.

EMIRATES FLYER ran respectably in first-time visor but the handicapper is in control; chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, every chance briefly, no extra inside final 1f.

QAFFAAL (USA) looks too high in the weights now but shaped as if still in good form; steadied at the start, headway under pressure on inner 2f out, kept on, best of those held up.

MYTHICAL MADNESS remains in good form, unlucky not to finish closer, but he has become tricky to win with; awkward leaving stalls, in rear, not clear run over 2f out, headway when switched over 1f out, edged left, kept on without threatening.

CLIFFS OF CAPRI again ran below form and it's harder to forgive given he was back on all-weather; mid-division, driven over 2f out, came wide early in straight, one paced.

PERKUNAS (IRE) shaped as if better for the run after 23 months off; raced wide, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out; his next run should reveal how much of his ability he retains, useful at 3.

CONSTANTINO (IRE) turned in a rare below-par effort on all-weather; mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, made little impression.

MASHAM STAR (IRE) wasn't seen to best effect, racing much further off the pace than usual from a difficult draw, never making any impression but not unduly punished once held.

SURREY HOPE (USA) probably remains in form, his effort of getting across to chase the leaders from stall 16 telling in the end, tiring.

BRITTANIC (IRE) shaped much better than the bare result returning from 4 months off; slowly into stride, raced well off the pace, travelled better than most, keeping on when short of room over 1f out, no further impression but not knocked about.

ELJADDAAF (IRE) is best not judged on this run, poorly drawn and unable to make any impression, a hopeless task from his position, spared a hard race.

LOVE DREAMS (IRE) was well held back in a handicap, proving rather hit and miss for all that he's clearly talented; led until over 1f out, dropped away quickly.

RACE DAY (IRE) probably needed the run after 20 months off and had a tough draw to contend with too, struggling soon after halfway and never on terms.