13:40 Market Rasen

Thursday 26 December 2019

All12:0512:3513:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

Garthwest Packaging Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 5m 49.0s

Cloudy Glen¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 127| BF

10/11

Collared close home at Carlisle (2m5f, heavy) 11 days ago having looked the winner for a long way. That second chase start matched his best hurdle form and his yard have an impressive 50% strike-rate since 11th December. Shortlisted.

Form: 1171-42

Neachells Bridge^t1³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 123

6/1

Mostly consistent type who ran well when his stamina was stretched at Ascot (3m, soft) five weeks ago. Drop back in trip seems the right move but his yard form is a concern (no winners for four weeks) and maybe vulnerable.

Form: 512-383

New Quay^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 123

10/1

Generally disappointing since winning as Ascot (2m3½f, good) in November 2018. Was too keen over C&D on his chasing/seasonal debut five weeks ago and ran better than his finishing position suggests but improvement still required.

Form: 16873-5

Serosevsky^b1,t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 122| D

40/1

Has been out of form since winning at Wincanton (2m5½f, good) over hurdlers in April. His four starts over fences haven't convinced, the last two for this yard and has plenty of questions to answer. Best watched.

Form: 1-PP46P

Love Lane³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 122| BF| C

10/1

Three-time hurdle winner (including here) who shaped well two starts ago on her chasing debut at Worcester (2m4f, good). Was never travelling when favourite at Chepstow (2m3½f, soft) five weeks ago but that was too bad to be true and is shortlisted.

Form: 1132-2P

Sonic¹⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122

16/1

Dual winning hurdler (2m4f) who matched his best form in that sphere when making the frame in three chases at Cartmel (2m1½f/2m5f) earlier this year. Best form has been on decent ground, however, and needs prove his liking for a softer surface.

Form: 214-232

Don't Ask^p1¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| OR: 121

20/1

Fell heavily over hurdles at Taunton over hurdles 12 months ago and has returned this year over fences in moderate form. Failed to complete at Chepstow (2m) and tailed-off at Leicester (2m4f) 15 days ago. Cheekpieces added now but others preferred.

Form: 21/0F-P6

Fortified Bay²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J Candlish| OR: 120

25/1

Won at Uttoxeter (2m7½f, good) on stable debut in May; placed twice subsequently before taking a break. Returned with two poor starts over fences at Sedgefield (3m2½f) and Bangor (3m). Has a chance on hurdles form; keep an eye on the betting.

Form: 3/12245

Ratfacemcdougall^p,t1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 115

14/1

Won twice over hurdles last season for Ben Case. Shaped well on chasing debut at Bangor (3m, good) in May but pulled up shortly after. Made his stable debut when beaten 16½L at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft) 20 days ago and needs to come on for the run.

Form: 181-3P4

Oscar Wilde²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 107

5/1

From a good family who showed some ability of hurdles last season. Was still travelling well when falling five out at Wetherby (2m5½f, soft) four weeks ago, his second start over fences. Yard in good form and open to further improvement.

Form: 333-73F

Forecasts

Cloudy Glen (10/11), Oscar Wilde (5/1), Neachells Bridge (6/1), New Quay (10/1), Love Lane (10/1), Ratfacemcdougall (14/1), Sonic (16/1), Don't Ask (20/1), Fortified Bay (25/1), Serosevsky (40/1)

With the Venetia Williams yard in such red hot form at the moment, it's hard not to see CLOUDY GLEN making a bold bid to get off the mark over fences. He may well have won at Carlisle last time if the last fence hadn't been omitted and conditions will suit. The mare Love Lane made a good start over fences at Worcester before her latest effort but that wasn't her true form and that can be forgiven whilst Oscar Wilde is lightly raced and was still going well when falling last time at Wetherby.