13:56 Market Rasen

Wednesday 26 February 2020

All12:2512:5513:2513:5614:2614:5615:26

Best Odds Guaranteed At MansionBet Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:57 | Winning time: 6m 11.30s

Lady Master²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 105| C

11/4

Stayed on in a most determined manner to beat The Crazed Moon by 7L in a mares' contest here (2m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago; won't be unduly inconvenienced by the extra 2½f; 7lb higher.

Form: 232-P31

Minella Voucher^t⁷²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 100| CD

14/1

Easy C&D winner (good) in May 2019; competes from a 16lb higher mark on this occasion, albeit has won since for today's rider Richie McLernon at Fontwell (2m5½f, soft); place chance.

Form: 3-1S214

Event Of Sivola^p,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Dowson| T: M Walford| OR: 99

7/1

Former French racer; has eased dramatically in the weights since switched to these shores (some 20lb or so); kept on pleasingly without ever threatening the front pair at Sedgefield (2m3½f, soft) 26 days ago; can he back up?

Form: 17P-P63

Du Destin^p⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 90

5/1

Generally disappointing since finishing second to Let's Get At It over hurdles here (2m4½f, soft) on Boxing Day 2018; this 11-race maiden remains in the care of Nicky Henderson (for the time being at least); pulled-up on Taunton chasing debut.

Form: 2-P803P

Hard Knocks^p,t²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 83WS

5/2

12-race maiden (returns from wind surgery); was knocking at the door over fences during the month of December - beaten 4½L by Sigurd at Wetherby (3m, soft) on Boxing Day; shouldn't be discounted and needs a serious market check.

Form: 87-6224

Picknick Park^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 81

11/2

21-race maiden (0-8 over fences); pulled-up at Huntingdon on his most recent start; placed on four occasions at this track (regular haunt), including when 18L third to Dallas Cowboy on his penultimate start.

Form: 5-2343P

Some Finish^b⁹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 76

40/1

Idled when springing a 20-1 surprise at Hereford (3m1½f, good to soft) in early January 2019; difficult to enthuse over though with PPPP listed for all other appearances since October 2018.

Form: 6PP1P-P

L'Es Fremantle⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Mr Connor Wood⁽⁷⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 75| CD

66/1

Sole win (from 66 starts) came when finishing like a whirlwind at odds of 80-1 over C&D (good) in November 2018; hampered and unseated rider last month; snookers are seemingly required from 4lb wrong.

Form: 55773U

Forecasts

Hard Knocks (5/2), Lady Master (11/4), Du Destin (5/1), Picknick Park (11/2), Event Of Sivola (7/1), Minella Voucher (14/1), Some Finish (40/1), L'Es Fremantle (66/1)

In truth, this isn't the deepest of contests but it's fair to acknowledge that a number of Market Rasen regulars stand their ground. The top-weight Lady Master is a recent course winner and a real force to be reckoned, especially as she shouldn't be unduly inconvenienced by stepping up in trip (from a 7lb higher mark). However, off a light weight (10st 4lb without factoring in the 7lb claim of Alison Clarke) a chance is taken on the veteran HARD KNOCKS. This 12-race maiden (carries the silks of Hexham Racecourse Chief Executive Robert Whitelock) has shown some ability over fences and could feasibly progress for wind surgery (much like stablemate Cyrogenics).