In the 8.45 at Chelmsford on Wednesday, Bowson Fred has yet to race on Polytrack, but ran as well as he ever has on the Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton 11 days ago and looks worth chancing off a 1lb higher mark. The Monsieur Bond gelding was only beaten three-quarters of a length in that 0-90 contest and, with his latest weight rise offset by a drop back into 0-85 contest, he looks to have every chance of resuming winning ways if taking to the surface.
Michael Easterby has a very healthy 7-21 (33%) strike rate at Chelmsford and, having recorded his two wins on turf over the minimum trip at Chester and Musselburgh, Bowson Fred should be suited by the flat track. He’s won on good to firm and good to soft going on turf, as well as on standard going on Tapeta, so appears versatile with regard to underfoot conditions, which offers further encouragement on his Polytrack debut. It’ll be disappointing if he can’t build on a highly promising start to the season.
Selection: Chelmsford 8.45 Bowson Fred to win