13:00 Betway Novices’ Hurdle
There isn’t much to say about the opening contest, other than that – barring accident – DAL HORRISGLE SP will with his head in his chest.
Rated 129, the Alan King-trained five-year-old is far superior to his two rivals and could end up in the mid-140s before the National Hunt season begins.
13:30 Betway Handicap Hurdle
The second race is a handicap hurdle for horses rated 0-110, a lot of whom do look as though they are in the grip of the handicapper.
One that does catch my eye is SID HOODIE SP, who is having her first start since a wind operation that could be the making of her. Conditions are set to suit the seven-year-old and she is back down to her last winning mark when trained by Charlie Mann.
This is her second start since moving to Alex Hales’ yard after disappointing at Fakenham last time. However, she was backed into 5/1 from 9/1 on the show, suggesting more was expected from her.
14:05 Betway Summer Handicap Hurdle
You could make a case for plenty of the 15 runners in this year’s renewal, especially with the first six in the betting (at the time of writing) all winning last time out. My three each-way selections are below.
CAMPROND 5/1 has improved with racing and was a very good second at Aintree’s Grand National meeting in April. He has since bolted up by 17 lengths over course and distance – albeit in a much weaker race – but comes here in good form and conditions look in his favour.
VOICE OF CALM 8/1 has won two of her four starts over hurdles for Emma Lavelle (who also trains Hang In There), including a win at Cartmel last time out. I think it helps to carry under 11st and, as this horse is going the right way and at the right end of the handicap, I think she’ll go well.
INGLEBY HOLLOW 16/1 won well on the Flat at Doncaster last week and has run well at Market Rasen before, including a third-place finish in this race two years ago off a 5lb higher mark. He has the assistance of 7lb claimer Matthew Ennis on board and could have a squeak at a big price.
14:40 Betway Summer Plate Handicap Chase
This is another race where it’s worth throwing a few darts as there aren’t any standouts and plenty that are closely matched both on form and in the betting.
CAPTAIN TOM CAT 9/2 has run at some of the better graded tracks over hurdles and seemingly improved for a fence. He’s three from three over the larger obstacles and his ceiling is still unknown. It would be no surprise to see him go well with conditions in his favour.
Paul Nicholls has stated that DARLING MALTAIX 15/2 has been trained for this race and he won his prep at Newton Abbot very easily last month. His trainer knows what it takes to win this race and he shouldn’t be too far away under Harry Cobden.
EXELERATOR EXPRESS 12/1 is another that could still be improving and is still lightly raced. His optimum conditions might be with a little cut in the ground, but he has won on good and I have a feeling he’ll get a lot closer to Francky Du Berlais than he did at Uttoxeter last time. They tend to go quickly and he’s a strong traveller who will like having a pace to aim at.
ROYAL VILLAGE 20/1 often goes well at Market Rasen and has run well in this race in the past. It might be stretch to say he’ll win it but, off the back of a success last time out, he could be in mix.
15:10 Heed Your Hunch At Betway Novices’ Handicap Hurdle
The last of the three ITV races is the 0-150 handicap hurdle.
Graeme McPherson saddles two with stable jockey Kielan Woods preferring THE DISTANT LADY 5/1, who won nicely at Newton Abbot last time out. She has been steadily improving and may have been a lot closer at Worcester on her penultimate start had she had not made a shuddering mistake at the third-last. She stays well and will be doing her best work late on.
The same can be said for BYRON FLYER 15/2 who, although without a win over hurdles for years, has been a fun horse for his connections who runs well in most of his races. This race isn’t the deepest and it would be no surprise if he went well. The market should inform in this contest.
15:50 Betway Novices Limited Handicap Chase
Only four runners have been declared for this 3m content and it will pay to monitor the market closely, as this is the type of race where the money will speak volumes.
I’d be surprised if we’ve seen the best of SEVEN DE BAUNE SP who, once upon a time, started his career over fences off a mark of 137. He’s not had that much racing since, but has won a couple of times, suggesting he’s got ability. I know his connections thought a lot of him as a young horse, so perhaps he can start paying them back as he tries this trip for the first time under rules.
16:22 Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap Chase
The final race is an eight-runner handicap chase for horses rated 0-115.
MAKKA PAKKA SP ran OK for a long time on his stable debut for Dr Richard Newland and has been off since that run in October. The stable has a reputation for getting horses into peak fitness after a layoff, so a big run wouldn’t be a shock. The market will be informative as they don’t often let winners go unbacked.
LITTLE STEVIE SP has regressed slightly since winning this race two years ago but, if he’ s back to that level, then he’s dangerously handicapped off 97.
LARCH HILL SP is another course-and-distance winner who is consistent and has the assistance of Jordan Nailor on his back.
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