11th Apr 2019 | Horse Racing
Chelmsford Tip: Admiral Rooke
Went off too quick over 6f last time (94.3% finishing speed) and almost clung on. Covered first 5f in 60.4s, which is a good time around Wolverhampton for a 48 rated horse.
Admiral Rooke is still a maiden after 26 starts but he’s dropped down the handicap to a level where he could dominate his rivals. The 4-year-old has been tested over a variety of trips but his latest run over 6f was eye-catching in the extreme.
Theodore Ladd tried to make all and set a furious early gallop. He covered the first 5f in a rapid 60.4s but had nothing in reserve to fight off the closers. Admiral Rooke tired badly, his finishing speed was 94.3% of his overall speed, much slower than par and it allowed the eventual winner to make up over 7 lengths in the final two furlongs.
Considering the uneven pace distribution I was impressed Admiral Rooke managed to cling onto second with a very respectable adjusted speed rating of 61. The most telling number however is the way he covered 5f in 60.4s. If he’d run this time four days earlier at Wolverhampton he’d have won a 0-70 sprint handicap!
It therefore makes perfect sense to drop him to the minimum trip at Chelmsford. He is well drawn to attack in stall 1 and if Theodore Ladd can get the fractions right his horse could break his duck.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 06:42 11th Apr, 2019 but subject to change