Johnston backing Urban Sprawl to challenge at Chelmsford

Urban Sprawl is out to claim his first all-weather victory in the bet365 Handicap at Chelmsford on Saturday.

Although yet to get off the mark on an artificial surface, the five-year-old still has a consistent placed record and has never come home out of the money on the all-weather.

He was last seen contesting a Wolverhampton handicap in early January over a mile and half a furlong, and from a wide draw he came home fourth when beaten three lengths, having been forced to take the long way round.

Trainer Charlie Johnston considers that performance to be better than the form book would suggest and is hoping the chestnut will be well placed from a kinder berth to aim for a significant first-prize pot of over £20,000.

“He probably ran better than the bare result at Wolverhampton, he got stuck very wide from a wide draw,” said the handler.

“He was probably about four wide all around the first bend, so I think he ran reasonably well in the circumstances.

“It’s a competitive race and a big field, with some decent prize-money on offer, but this course and distance should really suit him.

“He’s had a bit of a break through November and December coming into this, hopefully he will take a step forward for that Wolverhampton run as well.

“His all-weather form is largely consistent around this sort of distance and he has a nice draw, so I could see him running a good race.”

Elsewhere in the race is Kevin Ryan’s Apiarist, who has made his last two starts at Newcastle and hit the frame both times, winning in December and missing out narrowly on New Year’s Day.

Another entered horse in good form is David Evans’ Eagle Day, winner of his last two starts at Wolverhampton and previously a proven performer over this Chelmsford course and distance.

Richard Fahey is responsible for three of the 16 entrants, with Quiet Resolve the most fancied after his Newcastle success last time out, while Serenity Dream and Silent Move are both set to join him.