16:30 Market Rasen

Monday 17 April 2017

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

BDN Construction Ltd Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 5m 8.50s

Zarib²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 130

9/1

Won a novices' chase at Leciester in December though was perhaps not progressing as well as connections would have liked and has been hurdling on last two starts. This trip more suitable than last time and slight drop in weights means a drop in class here, which may prove fruitful with conditions to suit.

Form: 41F455

Oh Land Abloom¹⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 127

12/1

Seen plenty of action at this venue, winning twice (2m4½f and 2m7f, both on good). 7lb higher than the second of those an up 2lb for another decent effort when runner-up at Doncaster last time. Should not be far away.

Form: 522322-

Louis' Vac Pouch^h²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125

12/1

Has won two of his last three novices' hurdles over shorter, the latest here on good going. Now begins handicap career from what looks a competitive mark and clearly open to more improvement. Looks a leading player.

Form: 641F11-

Baratineur¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124

5/1

Won for Dan Skelton at Plumpton last season but not yet for champion trainer elect. Step up in trip may elicit some improvement, though likely to need it to win this.

Form: P/45349-

Card Game¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 123

12/1

Wide margin Sedgefield winner last spring, though handicapper has had her measure since. Showed signs of a revival back at that venue last time (2m1f, good) but stays this far and from same mark today she looks a leading contender.

Form: 5PP534-

A Boy Named Suzi¹¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 122

25/1

Won a Wetherby novices' hurdle in December 2014 but has not added to that success since, spending a year off the track at one stage and putting in creditable efforts from similar marks to today's twice this season. Not at his best last time, but stays this far and could be refreshed after a break.

Form: 03300-4

Sharp Response³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 120

7/2

Has won a couple of novices' events at Wetherby (good) and Sedgefield (soft) over the winter, though held in handicaps. Not beaten far last time, however, but 3lb rise is not gong to ease his cause today.

Form: P3-5133

Kauto Riko⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: T R Gretton| OR: 114

7/1

Won here over 2m2½f on Boxing Day (good to soft) and followed up at Catterick from 7lb higher. Not disgraced following further 7lb rise at Sedgefield last time. Further 2lb to shoulder today, but still open to improvement. Has to prove he handles forecast faster ground.

Form: 4640-

Atomix⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: P D Niven| OR: 108

5/1

Musselburgh bumper winner 14 months ago (soft) who went well over C&D (good) last week when not beaten far, with front pair clear. Has claims from same mark today, though consistency has so far not been his strong suit.

Form: 3F0728-

Barrys Jack²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: B Ellison| OR: 105

5/1

Won a Limerick handicap hurdle in December. Has had two runs for current connections, going close at Hexham (heavy) last time from 3lb lower. Best form on testing ground but if he handles today's conditions then he should be in the mix.

Form: 019527-

Forecasts

Sharp Response (7/2), Barrys Jack (5/1), Atomix (5/1), Baratineur (5/1), Kauto Riko (7/1), Zarib (9/1), Louis' Vac Pouch (12/1), Oh Land Abloom (12/1), Card Game (12/1), A Boy Named Suzi (25/1)

The feature race and a decent prize has drawn a competitive field, where a case can be made for most of them. LOUIS' VAC POUCH is suggested as the one to take on his handicap debut here from what looks a fairly attractive mark, judged on what he has achieved in novices' hurdles. Zarib should be involved following this drop in grade, while Oh Land Abloom and Kauto Riko are others open to improvement. Card Game is feared from her current mark now that she has shown she is back in form.