Market Rasen Town Council Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 5m 59.67s

Mistercobar^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 105| D

9/2

Almost made it home in front at Leicester two starts ago, finding the winning line just coming too soon, but nowhere near that form last time and consistency not his strong point; this is weak though and he has to be given a chance.

Form: 26-6425

High Noon^p⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 103| BF

11/4

Ready winner at Musselburgh in January and possible he found the trip too far when returned there last month; this drop back ideal then, and cheekpieces (which seem to have helped) are retained; has chances.

Form: 8-7P512

Crossley Tender³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Henderson| OR: 103

7/1

Still 3lb higher than last winning mark and form this winter has been patchy, to say the least; acts on most ground and stays well, but on balance, others preferred.

Form: U128P4

Levasseur^p,t⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: B I Case| OR: 97

9/1

Placed in a novice hurdle here in November but that is by far and away his best effort, well beaten in two handicaps since then; possible better ground will suit but may be better to wait until showing more.

Form: 29-726P

Derrick D'Anjou^t,v1⁷⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 96

5/1

Has his own ideas about the game, but did get his head in front (at the 12th attempt) at Exeter in November; not so good at Catterick last time and is now tried in new headgear; clearly very risky.

Form: 2/3-4517

Watar Allstar^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 91

16/1

No more than a modicum of promise behind some very useful sorts in novice hurdles but has been beaten big distances since going handicapping. Room for improvement but he needs it.

Form: 8-60807

Picknick Park^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 88| CD

3/1

Finally got his head in front at the 22nd attempt when successful over C&D last time, a good pace up front helping his cause; confidence could now improve and from a 7lb higher mark, has chances of the follow-up.

Form: 2343P1

Forecasts

High Noon (11/4), Picknick Park (3/1), Mistercobar (9/2), Derrick D'Anjou (5/1), Crossley Tender (7/1), Levasseur (9/1), Watar Allstar (16/1)

Now that PICKNICK PARK has finally got his head in front it might do his confidence the world of good, and in a very winnable race, he can follow up despite the handicapper giving him more to do. High Noon seems happier at this trip than further and might prove the biggest threat. Any of the others is capable of going close if they fancy it, but whether they do or not is anyone's guess. Maybe another change of headgear might wake Derrick D'Anjou up a bit.