Market Rasen Racecourse: Preview and tips for Thursday’s seven-race meeting
Market Rasen Racecourse presents its latest National Hunt meeting on Thursday afternoon, complete with seven races; four over hurdles, two over fences, and one bumper to conclude the card.
Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Market Rasen card, courtesy of Betano, who provide all the latest horse racing odds .
Our first race is an extended two-mile handicap hurdle (12.20). This is a reasonably competitive looking race with a big disparity between the top and the bottom of the handicap, but Bathgate, the second bottom weight, looks to be the one to side with. He proved that his current mark was workable when placing a good second of nine last time out and could win for regular rider Joe Williamson here.
Race two is an extended two-mile juvenile hurdle (12.50). While there are plenty of promising individuals here, with the likes of Mojito Des Mottes and Lights Go Down in the mix, Private Dancer is worth some attention. Making a start for Dan Skelton having shown ability on the Flat in France, the gelding represents a top stable in excellent current form and could be the best of the bunch.
Next is a two and a half mile novices’ hurdle (1.20). Another trained by Dan Skelton, the JP McManus-owned Harry Lowes ought to be the one to beat, having now won both a point-to-point and a novices’ hurdle. The form of the latter race is working out quite strongly, so he ought to be the best of the bunch for the Skelton team.
The fourth race is a handicap hurdle run over two miles and seven furlongs (1.50). Seahouses won over course and distance last time out, but has been heavily penalised for that victory. Mac’s Legacy looks tempting, having been third on each of his last three starts, and could get lucky today staying on the same mark and given five pounds by Jamie Brace. Rebecca Curtis’ horses are going well currently and this could be her next winner.
A three-mile handicap chase follows (2.20). There are just four runners here, but this looks a competitive contest nonetheless. Two wear first-time headgear; Jukebox d’Eddy and Great Name That. The latter has lost his way somewhat in recent starts, having last been in the winners enclosure in January last year, but a steep drop in the handicap could see him recapture better form if the new blinkers have the desired effect.
Race six is a handicap chase run over two miles and three furlongs (2.50). Venetia Williams’ Girls Best Friend won on reappearance and could have another chance of winning here, but Micky Hammond’s Beat The Edge could have a good each-way chance here too. The gelding wears a first-time visor and, ridden by three-pound claimer Alice Stevens, he could improve on his recent midfield finishes here now down a further pound in the weights.
Racing concludes with a bumper (3.20). This doesn’t look to be an overly strong race, but there is a runner with great potential who will take most of the attention in the preliminaries. Get Out Of My Way is a full brother to and trained by the same handler as Tripoli Flyer, who was a Grade Two winner in February and placed at Grade One level in May. If this son of Getaway has the same level of talent, he’ll be the one to beat.