The home of summer jumping, Market Rasen hosts a seven-race card on Friday afternoon with the feature being an intriguing Class 2 handicap hurdle.
The home of summer jumping, Market Rasen hosts a seven-race card on Friday afternoon with the feature being an intriguing Class 2 handicap hurdle.
The action gets underway with the 2m 3f Class 4 Daily Charged Up Offers At Rhino.Bet Maiden Hurdle (1.50pm). Jeepydoff Meel could shed his maiden tag following a good effort last week at Cartmel. The five-year-old dead-heated for second over a shorter trip in a handicap hurdle and will appreciate the return to a longer distance. Gaius showed plenty of promise for the Olly Murphy team when runner-up over 2m at Aintree last month. The four-year-old holds a progressive profile over hurdles and may go close.
The biggest field of the day lines-up in the second contest, the 2m 5f Class 5 Follow Us On Twitter At BetRhino Handicap Hurdle (2.20pm) where Magna Moralia should be a leading contender after his solid second eighteen days ago in a course and distance handicap hurdle. This race appears easier on paper and the six-year-old grey can return into the winners enclosure. Rory And Me may prove the main danger in the event as the eight-year-old won at this fixture last year (the opening maiden hurdle) and should be considered following a fair fourth behind Magna Moralia at this venue last time.
The third and feature race is the 2m 5f Class 2 Price Boosts On Football At Rhino.Bet Handicap Hurdle (2.50pm) where King Alexander can come out on top. The Nicky Henderson trained five-year-old recorded a third career victory last month at Ffos Las in a 2m 4f novices hurdle. He takes on tougher opposition and can play a major role. Hang In There and Impulsive One finished second and fourth respectively at Aintree last month and the pair can feature. It is worth noting the latter makes his stable debut for Brian Ellison.
Betty Baloo looks capable of winning the 2m 7f Class 4 Malton Marquees Handicap Hurdle (3.20pm) bidding for a hat-trick after a pair of handicap chase victories at this track. Gentleman Valley could provide the biggest challenge as Dylan Whelan takes off 10lb again following a narrow win at Warwick contesting a 3m 1f handicap hurdle last month.
The first steeplechase on the programme is the 2m 3f Class 5 Jan Dickinson Celebration Handicap Chase (3.50pm). Casa Tall was not disgraced considering he was last of five at Perth in April and the nine-year-old steps back up in trip. He is a three-time chase winner who has a top jockey booking in the shape of Harry Cobden. The drop in grade also looks a bonus. Dindin showed plenty of ability at Plumpton three runs ago when a close second off this handicap rating, staying on all the time on the run-in over 2m 4f and he can bounce back to best form today.
The second and final steeplechase on the card is the 2m 1f Class 5 Rhino.Bet Novices' Handicap Chase (4.20pm). Copper Fox holds a consistent profile including a smart second at Stratford over this distance. Rocambolas showed best form at Worcester last time and if the gelding can repeat that form, he would have a chance.
In the 2m 1f Class 5 Download The Rhino.Bet App Handicap Hurdle (4.50pm), Belvedere Blast caught the eye when winning by nine lengths in a course and distance handicap hurdle last week and the five-year-old could prove hard to beat. Harry Cobden rides Vision Of Hope again following a success at Huntingdon in this level over 2m. The filly has been busy in the last month but continues to improve.
RACING & SPORT SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – JEEPYDOFF MEEL
RACE 2 – MAGNA MORALIA
RACE 3 – KING ALEXANDER
RACE 4 – BETTY BALOO
RACE 5 – CASA TALL
RACE 6 – COPPER FOX
RACE 7 - BELVEDERE BLAST
