13:20 Market Rasen

Thursday 6 December 2018

All12:1512:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:30

starsports.bet Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:23 | Winning time: 5m 17.10s

Showem Silver¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 100

14/1

Would beat this field hollow on his best form but it's been downhill for some time now, and he's only completed once in his last six starts. Another drop in grade here and the market needs a check, as support would make him interesting, but risky.

Form: PFPP8P

Royal Act^p³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny Cook| T: S-J Davies| OR: 96

9/4

Was in good form in the spring, winning back-to-back handicaps in March, can't be blamed for getting brought down at Bangor latest and now the cheekpieces reappear, it makes him of more interest. Chances, especially with a bit more rain.

Form: 4311P-R

Foundation Man²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 95| D

15/8

Into the veteran stage now, has had breathing issues in the past and not always the strongest of finishers. Recent efforts have been lacking but simply on too good a mark to dismiss lightly, and not the biggest surprise if successful.

Form: 597488

Helium^p¹¹⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 10-13| J: M G Nolan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 87| D

8/1

Well into the veteran stage now, often placed but finds winning difficult and you have to go back to 2015 to find the last time he was successful. Likely to need this after summer break.

Form: 3665-73

Hope For Glory^t⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 81

9/1

Easy winner at Sedgefield in May, and handicapper took action with a 7lb rise, but was still right in contention when falling at Sedgefield latest. Worry might be this trip, as he seems best at the minimum, but chances if staying it.

Form: 6445/1-F

L'Es Fremantle¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 77| C

8/1

Got off the mark at the 56th attempt here two starts ago, coming with a right rattle late on to claim the prize. Ran just as well back here last time and is clearly in good form. Seems to reserve best for this track too, and cannot be discounted.

Form: PP4814

Gin Cobbler¹³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-1| J: B S Hughes| T: V Thompson| OR: 75| C

18/1

Tends to fade away at the end of his races whatever the trip these days, as was the case again at Sedgefield last time out. Well handicapped if he can recapture former glories but that looks unlikely, to say the least.

Form: F45/3-64

Duhallowcountry^b¹³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 72

16/1

Ran as well as he has done for a while when runner-up to the improving Grow Nasa Grow at Sedgefield last time but an overall record of 2 wins in 56 starts tells you the problem. Likely to run his race all the same and may pick up minor prize money.

Form: 7-U4642

Non-Runners

Quantum Of Solace¹⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 8

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Foundation Man (15/8), Royal Act (9/4), Quantum Of Solace (11/2), Helium (8/1), L'Es Fremantle (8/1), Hope For Glory (9/1), Showem Silver (14/1), Duhallowcountry (16/1), Gin Cobbler (18/1)

Not a strong event and further rain would count against a few of these. L'Es Fremantle had been something of a legend for his non-winning streak but to be fair to him, he brings some decent form at this level to the table here and his love affair with Market Rasen means he may well be taking some more prize money home here. But the two to concentrate on might be the well-handicapped Foundation Man, who could bounce back under conditions that should suit, and ROYAL ACT, who still has the scope to do a bit better yet, and the return of cheekpieces is an encouraging sign.