Coronavirus: Market Rasen Racecourse holds meeting before courses close their doors

Market Rasen’s Sunday meeting was one of the last to be open to the public before the British Horseracing Authority announced the following day that meetings would be held without spectators initially until the end of March.

The first Sunday raceday of the year saw a decent crowd brave blustery conditions.

Richard Johnson was making his first appearance at Rasen since getting back into action nationwide after breaking his arm, and the Champion Jockey enjoyed a double.

So, too, did trainer Olly Murphy who is developing a decent record at the track.

The duo combined in the opener when Fearless (4/5f) recovered after nearly unseating Johnson at the start.

His second winner came in the fifth race where local racegoers hoped Newstead trainer Nick Kent’s Picknick Park would repeat his effort from a fortnight before when he had a big win at the course.

This was Johnson and Murphy’s day, however, as they combined for a second time on the afternoon, with Mistercober (9/2) doing the business in the Market Rasen Town Council Novices Handicap Chase.

Picknick Park finished in fourth having jumped well and remained in contention much of the way, with Charlie Hammond on board.

“He jumped well today and I was pleased with him, but in the end he was beaten by a better horse,” Kent said.

“You can never tell with him, he has his ups and downs – you can never forecast how he is going to run.”

Owner Andy Parkin, who owns Lincolnshire Tyres in Market Rasen, said: “He took his fences well, but it was maybe too soon after his efforts last time.

“Not quite his day today and, as we know, he is unpredictable.”

Kent had another runner on the afternoon in Just Tottie who was sent off at 100/1 in the final race, a bumper, perhaps unsurprisingly at long odds for her racecourse debut.

Aidan Coleman was on board the 5/2 favourite Allavina for Olly Murphy.

Just Tottie finished 11th of the 13 runners.

The West Lindsey Council Handicap Steeplechase brought a win for Thomas Todd, the 7/4 favourite, trained by Laura Morgan and ridden by Patrick Cowley.

The 10-year-old did not jump well and the jockey lost his irons at the eighth fence.

Another mistake three out left the horse with plenty of work to do, but despite being ridden out, he got up at the line.

The Love Market Rasen Raceday Handicap Hurdle was won by 9/1 shot Florrie Boy, trained by Nigel Twistan-Davies and ridden by top jockey Sam Twistan-Davies.

This was despite being another who struggled with his jumping.

Taking a look back at Cheltenham, Panic Attack, who was strongly fancied for the Wetherby’s Champion Bumper after winning in some style at Market Rasen last month, failed to get in the first four at the big meeting.

The next meeting scheduled at Market Rasen is on Wednesday, March 25.