The Arabian Racing Organisation (ARO) returns to Chelmsford City this week with the Al Bustan Beach (0-65) Handicap. The second of five races sponsored by the Royal Cavalry of Oman, the mile and a quarter contest supports the sports’ grassroots and will be run over a mile and a quarter at the Essex track.
In what looks a competitive affair for the grade, it is a mix of young handicappers who have raced against each other on several occasions, coming up against three unexposed handicap debutants. James Owen fields three runners, all for different owners, the most experienced being Serafim Forta, who runs in the colours of his own Racing Club and is likely to be strongly fancied to build on his win last season. Whilst Heritage Valentino is likely to do better as the season goes on, his Sahis looks to be better off with the Phil Collington trained Alsimsaam. The three all met in a maiden at Wolverhampton last month and though Alsimsaam finished ahead, he will need to have progressed from that experience to win giving weight away all round.
Peter Hammersley runs Zayin Zyperion and Samawaat. He’ll be hoping that Zayin Zyperion will have come on for his seasonal appearance at Bath, when he finished ahead of both Serafim Forta and Jayme Plumb’s Gerko De Tenelle, who the six-year-old reopposes here.
Genny Haynes, ARO Commercial and Finance Director said: “We are delighted to be back at Chelmsford City with the Royal Cavalry. Their first race of the season here was won by an exciting young filly who could progress to Group company, however it is vital that the grassroots are supported with a race of this nature and we thank them for their continued sponsorship of our races at all levels.”