A review of the racing from Chelmsford City: Alshaqee wins for William Haggas and Tom Queally

News of the action from Chelmsford City where Alshaqee struck at the fifth time of asking for William Haggas.

Alshaqee struck at the fifth time of asking with victory in the Celebrate Christmas At Chelmsford City Racecourse Maiden Stakes.

Having finished second on his two previous starts, the William Haggas-trained runner went one better as it paid to be close to the pace.

Sharp enough away from the stalls, the 6-4 favourite was settled in behind pace-setter Krystallite before hitting the front late on.

Although made to work hard by Krystallite, the two-year-old pulled out enough to land the five-furlong prize by three-quarters of a length.

Winning rider Tom Queally said: "He was a tad unlucky last time but he got the run of things today.

"He knuckled down when he needed to as he had a bit of a fight on his hands in the last furlong, but he deserved that.

"I had the race as long as nothing come hard and fast from behind me."

Silver Springs gifted part-owner Pat Dalton an early Christmas present after snapping her six-run losing streak in the mytotepool.com Nursery at Chelmsford City.

Although receiving a slice of the £3,234 first prize, Dalton also pocketed in excess of £10,000 after placing a £250 each-way bet on the two-year-old at 33-1 earlier in the day.

Having enjoyed no luck last time out at Kempton, the 20-1 shot fared much better in the six-furlong event when coming with a late run to take victory by three-quarters of a length.

Pat Dalton, part of winning owners Dukes Head Racing, said: "We just had her right today. She got a terrible run at Kempton where she fell out of the stalls but he (jockey Philip Prince) felt she stayed on at the end of the race, so we thought we would come here.

"It is a sharper track here and we thought it would suit her. She took a lot on today as she can be very moody, but it came off.

"I had £250 each-way on her at 33-1 so that has just made my Christmas."

Kingscroft came from almost last to first to clinch a slender success in the Get Social With totepool On Facebook Handicap.

Despite being forced to sit near the back of the field early on after a slow start, the 14-1 shot was delivered in perfect time by Fergus Sweeney to take the honours in the six-furlong affair.

Jamie Spencer looked to have stolen the contest from the front aboard favourite Mighty Zip in his attempt to follow up his course-and-distance win last time out with all his rivals seemingly in trouble entering the closing stages.

With one final effort though the Tom Dascombe-trained runner collared the 5-2 market leader with the post looming to claim victory by three-quarters of a length.

Sweeney said: "The horse next to me kept rearing up and it just put my lad off. He had one eye on the other fellow and he was slow to break but he got me out of trouble.

"I would have liked to have been in the box seat but things don't always go to plan. They went hard and that gave me a chance to get into it down the straight. Sometimes Plan B is best."

Volunteer Point showed her aptitude for a fight after sticking her neck out in game fashion to collect the totepool Betting On All UK Racing Handicap.

Positioned just off the pace, the 7-2 favourite saw the gaps appear up the inside rounding the home turn in the mile contest to lay down a challenge to chief market rival Mythical Madness.

Finding plenty for pressure, the Mick Channon-trained three-year-old held the rallying Mythical Madness by a head with the fast-finishing Firmament a further neck away in third.

Graham Gibbons, winning rider, said: "We got a good tow into the race but she had to knuckle down in the last furlong but she pulled it out.

"I was in the box seat and things could not have gone better. Every time Adam (Kirby) came at me, she just stuck her neck out."

Supersta continued his recent upturn in form when completing a hat-trick of wins in the totepool Supporting The Sport You Love Handicap.

Although giving his rivals several lengths at the start of the mile prize, the evens favourite followed up his course-and-distance victory of last month when doing just enough to grind out victory by a length.

Michael Appleby, winning trainer, said: "If he jumped out he would be a good horse. He gave them five or six lengths. He loves it, but I don't.

"He's done it well again and he keeps going up in class. He is not going to get away with doing that in better class races.

"If he gets away with that problem from the stalls, then he could go and win a decent race."

A return trip to the track is in store for Power Up according to trainer Robert Eddery following her facile victory in the totepoolliveinfo.com Handicap.

After being well held on her first two starts for the Newmarket handler, the 7-1 shot was not for stopping in the mile-and-a-quarter event, clearing right away from her rivals to win by two and three-quarter lengths under Oisin Murphy, who was later successful aboard the John Jenkins-trained Belrog (4-5) in the Collect at totepool Winnings At Betfred Shops Handicap.

Eddery said: "She has pleased me. I've not had the filly long and she had two quick runs for me. The last 10 to 12 days I've been pleased with her and the fact we've come here and won is great.

"I think a mile and a quarter is her trip and this is her second win around here. Lingfield is a bit quick for her so she will probably come back here in January."