14:20 Market Rasen

Wednesday 26 December 2018

All12:1012:4013:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Clugston Lincolnshire National Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 7m 46.0s

Oh Land Abloom¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: N B King| OR: 126| C

14/1

Fair staying handicap hurdler but hasn't really taken to fences in two outings and looks up against it in this competitive affair off top weight after pulling up at Huntingdon last time.

Form: 207-42P

Late Romantic^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: P J Brennan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 125

5/1

Won three point-to-points and was shaping well over hurdles on Rules bow at Uttoxeter in April when jockey lost balance and fell off before last. Good effort over fences when second at Newcastle last time and step up in trip should help cause.

Form: 2/U11U-2

Emerald Rose^p²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: M D Grant| T: J S Smith| OR: 124| C

8/1

Veteran mare who finished a good third in this race 12 months ago off 5lb lower mark. Ran well following long break when thrid at Bangor this month and should be thereabouts on a course that suits her.

Form: 3333-13

Zerachiel^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 123| D

9/2

Ran away with Haydock 3m4f chase in April off 11lb lower mark but got no further than first fence when unseating at Kelso in Borders National. Bold show not ruled out if he picks his hooves up.

Form: 2P241-U

Mortens Leam¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hawker| OR: 123

14/1

Has won two of his last three races (both at Fontwell). Impressive there last time but 14lb rise make life much tougher. Going the right way though and conditional rider claims 7lb back.

Form: P8U151

Global Dream⁶¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 122

20/1

Off the track for more than 600 days so has clearly had an issue and fitness has to be taken into consideration. Was in progressive form prior to absence and is 5lb lower than when close second at Warwick on final outing before break.

Form: 311222/

Bob Ford⁷³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 122| DWS

14/1

Won Chepstow 3m handicap chase off 122 back in October 2017 then failed to finish next three starts. Looked reluctant and well beaten at that track in October but has had wind op since so that may have been the issue.

Form: 15FPP-8

Just Georgie²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 115

11/2

Only win from 19 starts came in 3m chase at Wetherby last term where all out to hold on close home. Not certain step up in trip will suit but shaped with some promise on only start so far this campaign and is down 2lb.

Form: U6132-5

Beau Sancy^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 114

4/1

In cracking form this term rattling up a hat-trick in October before finishing creditable runner-up over 3m off 7lb higher mark at Ayr last month. Up further 4lb now but more improvement not ruled out.

Form: 29-1112

Ange Des Malberaux^t⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 110

14/1

Did really well this summer on good ground landing 3-4 at up to 3m. Combination of higher mark and extra two furlongs may have been the issue at Carlisle last time but this easier track might help the cause.

Form: 011417

Shady Glen^b,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 109| C

14/1

Goes really well here and won three times last season at up to 3m. Given chance by handicapper now and ran much better than position indicates at Fakenham latest when badly hampered by faller 2 out.

Form: P67655

Have A Go Hero^v³⁹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 109

16/1

Won Hereford staying novice chase in March 2017 but has been absent for 13 months and race fitness has to be open to question. Doesn't look particularly well handicapped either.

Form: 34P17/4-

Non-Runners

Bennys Girl¹¹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 10

T: D L Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Beau Sancy (4/1), Zerachiel (9/2), Late Romantic (5/1), Just Georgie (11/2), Emerald Rose (8/1), Ange Des Malberaux (14/1), Bob Ford (14/1), Mortens Leam (14/1), Oh Land Abloom (14/1), Shady Glen (14/1), Have A Go Hero (16/1), Global Dream (20/1), Bennys Girl (20/1)

A wide open renewal of the Lincolnshire National with a narrow vote going to ZERACHIEL who was most impressive when scoring at Hayodck last term over a marathon trip and had no luck at Kelso last time. There are a host of others with solid claims, including last year's third Emerald Rose, the improvers Late Romatic and Mortens Leam, and both Beau Sancy and Shady Glen can be given a chance if things drop their way.