17:20 Market Rasen

Wednesday 27 March 2019

All14:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:5017:20

MansionBet Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 4m 37.6s

Siannes Star^h1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: B Ellison| OR: 112

7/2

11-race maiden, but he has run well both times he has visited this track. Good effort last time over a trip that was shorter than ideal, so this should suit better, and he has claims from 2lb lower if headgear helps.

Form: U26354

The Very Thing^p1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁸⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 111

6/1

First past the post at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) in December, when 2lb lower. Not quite as effective over 2m4f on both runs since, but this intermediate trip may help, as may cheekpieces. Interesting.

Form: 4-32D53

Oxford Blu²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Cillin Leonard⁽¹⁰⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 110

9/2

Won over a similar trip on the Flat on his final start for Sir Mark Prescott, in 2017, and backed up over hurdles on first run for this trainer. On a 10-race losing run since, however, with no recent signs of revival.

Form: P0-7695

Chief Brody²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Lorcan Williams| T: W R Muir| OR: 109

13/2

Won by 25L in a Warwick handicap hurdle (2m, heavy) this time last year, on his stable debut. Handicapper did not miss that, and he remains 14lb higher, despite being well beaten last twice. More needed.

Form: P/1-2307

Working Class^t1⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁶⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 109

9/2

1-11 over hurdles and was awarded his win courtesy of the stewards at Fakenham in December. Has improved on that in defeat since, and has claims from this mark if tongue-tie helps.

Form: 671337

Ice Galley⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 105WS

12/1

Sole win in either code came on the Flat at Redcar (1m6f, good to firm) in September. 0-4 over hurdles so far. Showed a bit of ability at Wetherby in December, but well held next time and resumes after a wind op today.

Form: P965

Bagan¹²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽³⁾| T: T R Gretton| OR: 104

12/1

Probably flattered when 14L fourth behind a decent sort at Fakenham in October, and well held on handicap debut next time. Returns from a break dropped 3lb, which looks insufficient.

Form: 4P4349

Russian Royale¹³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 95| C

9/1

Dual hurdles winner here over 2m½f in 2015. Last success came at Hexham last summer, when 1lb lower. Best on good ground, and not ruled out now she gets it.

Form: 4-21546

Non-Runners

Nigh Or Never⁶⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: Edward Austin

Forecasts

Siannes Star (7/2), Working Class (9/2), Oxford Blu (9/2), The Very Thing (6/1), Chief Brody (13/2), Russian Royale (9/1), Ice Galley (12/1), Bagan (12/1), Nigh Or Never (14/1)

A tricky puzzle to solve, but the suggestion is SIANNES STAR, who may do better for the fitting of headgear at a track where he has performed best so far. The Very Thing is of interest over this distance, while Working Class and Russian Royale are others who should be in the shake-up.