Market Rasen Racecourse: Doubles for Jockeys Bowen and Sheehan
Wednesday afternoon’s race meeting at Market Rasen offered some good quality, competitive sport and the seven-race meeting yielded doubles for both Gavin Sheehan, who rode his 50th winner of the season, and champion jockey-elect Sean Bowen.
Read on for a full report of the Market Rasen card, brought to you by Betway.
The first race of the meeting was an extended two-mile novices’ hurdle (12.20). The favourite was Brixson at 7/4, who was ridden by Gavin Sheehan. The Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith-trained gelding took the lead at the fourth last hurdle and pressed on to go clear, winning by seven lengths and providing his rider with the first leg of his double that afternoon.
Next was a two and a half mile novices’ handicap hurdle (12.50). Dan Skelton’s Little Wren jumped off as market leader, but this was an open race and - as the favourite weakened towards the final few furlongs - Philip Kirby’s Devon Skies made all and kept on to win under Joe Williamson by over a length to the runner-up, 14/1 shot Time Was.
Race three was a two and three quarter mile novices’ handicap chase (1.20). Here, Sean Bowen won his first race of the day onboard the Evan Williams-trained Lelant. The gelding, who was the main fancy in this race at 15/8, raced in midfield before making progress and going clear in the closing stages to win by nearly five lengths. He was followed home by 5/2 shot Kapamazov.
A handicap hurdle followed, run over two miles and seven furlongs (1.55). Dan Skelton’s Tranquil Sea was the favourite at 85/40, but was beaten going towards the finish by the Sam Thomas-trained C’Est Different, who went clear to win by over eight lengths under claiming rider Dylan Johnston. The favourite finished second, with Lihyan in third.
The feature race was next; the Listed three-mile mares’ chase (2.25). There were five runners in the mix, with the market leader being Faye Bramley’s Paggane, who left little in doubt as she travelled strongly to take the lead before the third last fence, winning easily by nearly nine lengths to the runner-up, Minniemum. Jalisco Star was the only non-finisher, pulling up before the 11th fence.
Race six was a three-mile handicap chase (2.55). Here, Gavin Sheehan rode the second leg of his winning double and his 50th winner of the season as he steered the Billy Aprahamian-trained Seasmoke to victory. Hawkseye View was the favourite but, though he ran a very good race and was only beaten by a length, Seasmoke finished more strongly and got the better of the market leader.
The final race of the day was a bumper (3.25). This was just a small field of five runners, but Sean Bowen rode the second leg of his double here on Moore Brion, who is trained by Olly Murphy. The 33/1 outsider Bargain Hunter led, but weakened inside the final furlong, allowing Moore Brion to motor on into the lead, keeping on to win by over a length to Hidden Fortune in second.
Market Rasen results - Wednesday:
12.20 - Brixson (7/4F)
12.50 - Devon Skies (5/1)
1.20 - Lelant (15/8F)
1.55 - C’Est Different (9/4)
2.25 - Paggane (EvensF)
2.55 - Seasmoke (100/30)
3.25 - Moore Brion (8/13F)