STEEL Train enjoyed his first success for a year at Chelmsford last month and can steam to victory back at the Essex track.

The six-year-old had been out in the wilderness since striking at Newcastle and had hardly beaten a rival in the majority of his nine starts.

However, the son of Zafeen had shown a glimmer when beaten six and a quarter lengths in a 19-runner handicap at Doncaster in November won by Speculative Bid.

That must have given his trainer David O'Meara hope of a revival and Steel Train duly delivered when quickening sweetly to take a seven-furlong handicap in good style by a length from Swift Approval.

On that evidence, he should not be inconvenienced by the step up to a mile in his bid to follow up in the Bet toteexacta At betfred.com Handicap.

You're Cool can complete a hat-trick of wins over this five furlongs in the Bet totetrifectaAt betfred.com Handicap.

John Balding's sprinter has gone up another 4lb for his latest success six weeks ago but his liking for the track is a big plus.

Enigmatic lost nothing in defeat when second to Thello at Newcastle last week on his first try in a handicap.

Jamie Osborne's charge had won his two previous starts and can regain winning ways in the Book Tickets At chelmsfordcityracecourse.com Handicap.

Bardd is an interesting runner from Nicky Henderson's champion jumps stable in the Bet totewin At betfred.com Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

The five-year-old makes his Flat debut but wears the familiar colours of Elite Racing, worn to such great success by the record-breaking filly Marsha this season.

Bardd has shown fair form over hurdles recently without getting his head in front, but he did win a bumper at Sandown in November 2016 to suggest he should have enough pace to be effective on the level, certainly in this grade.

Grasmere can get off the mark when stepped up to seven furlongs in the Bet toteplacepot At betfred.com Nursery Handicap.

Alan Bailey's youngster put in good work at the finish when sixth over six furlongs on this course in her first nursery four weeks ago to suggest the extra furlong will be right up her street.

Top Notch promises to take all the beating in the rearranged Peterborough Chase at Taunton.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old has really taken well to fences and if anything still appears to be on the up.

He actually reappeared over hurdles at Aintree, a run which put him nicely right for the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot, where he impressed in pretty much everything he did in slamming Double Shuffle by eight lengths.

Second to Yorkhill at the Cheltenham Festival last season, a return trip for the Ryanair Chase is firmly on the cards but he could even pop up in the King George on Boxing Day should something happen to Bristol De Mai, who runs in the same colours.

Lady Buttons made a successful debut for the in-form Philip Kirby team at Bangor and can continue gaining experience with another win in the Parklands Club Novices' Chase at Newcastle.

Sparkling River is a much better horse at Warwick than anywhere else and Henry Oliver's seven-year-old can register her fourth success there in the M-TEC Consulting Group Mares' Novices' Chase.

Her latest triumph came in a novice handicap chase three weeks ago and she looks a sporting bet in this Listed contest.

SELECTIONS:

CHELMSFORD: 5.45 Grasmere, 6.15 I'm Yer Man, 6.45 Cookie Ring, 7.15 STEEL TRAIN (NAP), 7.45 You're Cool, 8.15 Bardd, 8.45 Enigmatic.

NEWCASTLE: 12.10 Clovelly, 12.40 Lady Buttons, 1.15 Call Me, 1.45 Manwell, 2.20 Morning With Ivan, 2.55 Baileys Concerto, 3.25 Vintage Glen.

WARWICK: 12.20 Tamayef, 12.50 First Assignment, 1.25 Sparkling River, 1.55 Horatio Hornblower, 2.30 Don't Act Up, 3.05 Jarlath, 3.35 Thibault.

TAUNTON: 12.00 Parthenius, 12.30 Kings Ryde, 1.05 Never Learn, 1.35 New Millennium, 2.10 The Welsh Paddies, 2.45 Top Notch, 3.15 Coeur Tantre, 3.50 Midnight Magic.

TRAMORE: 12.25 Laurina, 12.55 Persian Wind, 1.30 Kilbrew Gold, 2.00 Poker Party, 2.35 Charlie's Charm, 3.10 Model Cloud, 3.40 Macardle.

DOUBLE: Steel Train and Enigmatic.

ends