15:30 Market Rasen
Sunday 21 May 2017
All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0016:3017:00
Matchbook Racing Is Commission Free Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 4f 139y | Good (Good to Soft in places) | 15 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 13.50s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Well suited by deep ground and after a spell over fences, ran his best race for some time when runner up to Unison (2m heavy) at Wincanton in March. On a decent mark over hurdles, and further rainfall will only strengthen his winning chances.
Long distance traveller, but has demonstrated an affinity for this track in the past (won here in November 2015, and also took this very race earlier that year). 2lb lower than when taking this by ½L in 2015, and a solid second to Jacks Last Hope at Perth latest.
Best efforts on good ground, winning at Exeter (2m7f) in October 2016. Didn't appear to take to fences and steadily getting ever nearer in three runs since switched back to the smaller obstacles. Forecast rain a worry.
Abortive career over fences, and has taken time to return to form, but successful from a 6lb lower mark (finished alone) at Fontwell earlier this month. This is more competitive but respected despite the worry of softer ground.
Has largely been competitive over fences, though you have to go back to 2015 for his only win in this sphere. That said, fairly lightly raced over the past twelve months and was successful over C&D (hurdles) in December 2013. Wears a hood for the first time.
Made it fifth time lucky over hurdles when beating subsequent winner Atomix by 1¼L over C&D last month. Surprisingly switched back to the Flat for his next outing (beaten favourite), and surely more competitive back here despite a 9lb higher mark.
Has won a pair of novice hurdles this year (Carlisle and Wetherby) and seemingly handles most ground conditions. Up 2lb for that latest Wetherby success (beat Blue Hussar) and meets gnarly handicappers today for the first time.
French import who won four hurdles and a chase at Auteuil at trips from 2m2f to 2m3½f, with the bulk of that winning form coming with cut. Not shown much in two starts so far for this yard, but eased a few pounds and far better longer-term.
Thrice placed in bumpers (twice for this trainer) and very lightly raced with just three previous starts over hurdles. That said; can only be described as disappointing when favourite for his handicap debut at Perth latest and much work to do with Sky Khan on that showing.
Two from two since returned from twelve months off the track, but all out when upped to 2m3f at Haydock. 7lb higher and this step up in trip looks much more of a worry than any forecast rain as she seeks the hat-trick.
Quiet over the winter months after a solid runner up effort at Ascot in October, but back with a bang at Warwick last month beating previous multiple winner Earls Fort. 4lb higher, and remains within range trip wise, but best recent form appears to be on a sound surface.
Travelling well when falling three out at Ludlow in March (2m soft) in a race won by Centurius and continues to mix AW racing with hurdling having been denied by The Lock Master at Southwell latterly. On the same mark as Ludlow (119) and has won over this trip over hurdles in the past. Cheek-pieces applied.
Off the boil over fences since winning at Newton Abbot in October (2m good), and switched back to hurdles following a four month break at Taunton last month. This longer trip should help and round or about his last winning mark over hurdles.
Not won since 2014, but on a fair mark as a result. However, was last of ten at this track (C&D) to Louis Vac Pouch on his penultimate start last month, so little positive to yield from that showing.
Goes well at Plumpton, and almost won the same contest for the second time in three years (2m4f handicap hurdle) when outpaced by I See You Well last weekend. Turned out quickly from the same mark and capable of a decent run now back to form.
Forecasts
Secret Door (9/2), Expedite (9/2), Ossie's Dancer (7/1), Work In Progress (8/1), Minstrel Royal (9/1), Sky Khan (10/1), Viserion (10/1), Sandymount (16/1), A Boy Named Suzi (16/1), After Eight Sivola (20/1), Sigurd (20/1), Oscar Sunset (33/1), Serenity Now (33/1), Shimla Dawn (40/1), Rouge Et Sage (66/1)
An ultra competitive handicap hurdle with the Harry Fry trained mare Secret Door seeking a hat-trick. However, it can pay to concentrate on previous winner SKY KHAN, and the Jonjo O'Neill trained Sigurd. The latter named is up 9lb for a C&D success last month (runner up Atomix has won at Hexham since); so the long distance travelling Scottish raider is the selection. Sky Khan has a clear affinity with this track, is on a decent mark, and posted a sound effort behind Jacks Last Hope at the Perth April Festival last month.
- Sky Khan
- Sigurd
- Oscar Sunset
Prize Money
1st: £12,996.002nd: £3,816.003rd: £1,908.004th: £954.00
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