Chelmsford 19:40
This is a really nice looking five furlong dash on the all weather at Chelmsford, for those rated 0-105.
The front running Yalta doesn't have the best draw in stall one, but if Jame Doyle can get him out smartly then I think he still has a good chance of leading this and being able to dictate things from the front. He hasn't been in the winners enclosure since winning the Molecombe Stakes (Group 3) at Goodwood last year and this is a massive step down in class. He has been deemed good enough to contest a couple of Group 1 races in the meantime and although he is untried on the all weather surface, his sire Exceed And Excel, has a very good record with runners on artificial surfaces.
The James Fanshawe trained Mazzini won a 0-95 handicap here over six furlongs last time out as easily as he liked and looked a class act. I'm not completely sure about the drop back to five furlongs however, and he is now running against a lot better horses. For me the price of 5/2 is completely prohibitive and although he looks to have plenty more in him, I can't see any value here.
Ryan Moore takes the ride on Encore D'Or and this Oasis Dream gelding is the highest rated runner in the race. He was a course and distance winner in the same class of race in June, and from just three pounds higher he has a definite chance with the champion jockey on board.
Champions League
Liverpool enter their Champions League qualifier with plenty of off the field issues, and are playing an above average Hoffenheim side that finished 4th in the Bundesliga last season. However, they have lost a couple of keys players and I think they may struggle to contain the front three of new boy Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Liverpool gave away some horrible goals in the 3-3 draw with Watford on Saturday but they have only lost once when Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip and played together in the centre of defence and I think they are actually a very attractive price to win tonight. Added to that, if they do manage to score early I can see them going on to win by a few goals so will be backing them on the handicap markets as well.
Today's selections
Chelmsford 19:40 - Yalta 1 point win @ 5/1
Hoffenheim v Liverpool - Liverpool win - 3 points @ 29/20
Hoffenheim v Liverpool - Liverpool minus one - 2 points @ 4/1
Hoffenheim v Liverpool - Liverpool minus two - 1 point 10/1