CHELMSFORD CITY 16:00

All 5 ran.

Time: 1m 10.59s Closing Sectional: (3f): 34.75s (101.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 100.8%

Quite a range of ability in a small-field handicap, 19 lb between top and bottom weight, only one of the 5 exposed runners having run to form last time out, though the winner and third were in a race distinctly less competitive than they had been contesting, explaining their revival, the well-backed second just in much better form than last time.

ENCRYPTED got back on track in a lesser race than the last twice, on all-weather for the first time this year, now 3 wins from 4 starts on artificial surfaces (unbeaten on polytrack); bumped start, took keen hold, led early, led again halfway, quickened straight, kept on final 1f, had bit in hand.

BLACKHEATH well backed, ran a fair bit better than he had at Windsor, though was still below the form he showed at Salisbury, the run of the race suiting the winner that bit better, a bigger field and stronger gallop likely be his optimum scenario; slowly into stride, held up, travelled well, short of room soon after start, effort 2f out, took second 1f out, kept on.

ROUSSEL (IRE) hadn't made much impact in 2 highly competitive handicaps, but ran creditably in this lesser affair, in first-time cheekpieces after just 6 days off, doing well given he seemed unsettled by early trouble; chased leaders, short of room inside 1f, never going well after, kept on straight, never on terms; he had been gelded prior to his previous start.

NINE BELOW ZERO had been well beaten on both previous tries at 6f and was again below form, though beaten by something other than lack of stamina; hampered start, in touch, ridden over 2f out, one paced.

KODIAC EXPRESS (IRE) was below form, doing a bit too much early on, 3 wins and 3 last places in her last 6 starts, almost the definition of inconsistent; dived left leaving stalls, soon led, took keen hold, headed halfway, no extra final 1f.