Dutch Decoy has been declared to run in the following race:
Thursday 14 January
7.00 Chelmsford - Handicap (Class 4) 7f
Please note that the race time has been altered since the entry stage.
There are twelve runners and Joe Fanning is booked to ride. Dutch Decoy has been drawn in stall seven.
Mark Johnston says Dutch Decoy is back in good form after his foot issue, and he is pleased to be returning to seven furlongs. Mark was pleased with how well Dutch Decoy travelled in his last race at Southwell, and hopes he is capable of running well again in this race.
Our View: Masked Identity is capable but drawn wide in stall 10 (a disadvantage at this tight course). Strawberry Jack has won over this course and distance (C&D) and is 3lbs lower here than his last winning mark; he has a chance. Old News is drawn 11 and won over a mile at this course last time. He has been gelded and has his first start for a new stable here. Seas Of Elzaam is drawn 12 and is also a C&D winner. He may be a little too high in the weights to win. The same could possibly be said of Johnny Reb, who is very consistent and is well drawn. His last win was over 6f at Kempton in October.
Brunel Charm has improved since being gelded in October, but still has a little to find on form. Casaruan won over this C&D in November, and has also won over 1m at Chelmsford. He is up in grade here, but has a low weight and could go well from the inside draw in first-time cheek pieces.
Dutch Decoy showed an impressive turn of foot to win at Kempton in July, and returns to the same Polytrack surface here for the first time since. He ran well over 1m at Southwell last time, and the drop back in trip should help here. We hope he has an each-way chance, and suggest a value price to be 10/1.