19:10 Market Rasen

Thursday 1 June 2023

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4520:1520:45

Blockfree Services Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:13 | Winning time: 5m 17.2s

J'Ai Froid^p⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 125

22/1

One-time smart handicap hurdler who isn't the force of old. Latest effort best excused but others are still more appealing.

Form: 48/05-5P

Ashington^v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 124

5/1

Versatile performer who was right back to his best when second at Plumpton 18 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Should give his running again but others look better treated.

Form: 2B323-2

Restitution^v1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 122

12/1

Wide-margin winner of a 2m Doncaster handicap over Christmas. More miss than hit since and needs the visor to perk him up.

Form: 710P3-6

Kihavah^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: A Keatley| OR: 122

16/5

Fairly useful hurdler who has run well on both previous visits to this track. Landed a competitive handicap on the Flat at York recently and makes plenty of appeal back in this sphere.

Form: 5/2FP34-

Tardree^h,t²³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Patrick Cowley⁽³⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 118| C

11/1

Dual chase winner who landed a couple of novice hurdles in the summer. Fortunate winner over fences at Wetherby 7 months ago but worthy of interest off lower hurdles mark on first start since.

Form: 21F121-

Bon Retour¹⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: M Walford| OR: 117| D

25/1

Won twice for Nicky Richards at the end of last summer but hasn't fired since, including in two starts for current yard. Returns from 100 days off with something to prove.

Form: 511785-

Shallow River²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116

13/2

Bumper/novice hurdle winner during 2021/22 campaign and good second to Filey Bay (subsequently placed twice in top handicaps) on return at Wincanton in December. Disappointing since, however.

Form: 11/2P4-6

Midnight Ginger⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 116| C

11/4

Likeable mare who added to her tally in 2m Newbury handicap on New Year's Eve. Back to form when second at Uttoxeter 4 days ago and can make her presence felt if the race doesn't come too soon.

Form: 1535-42

Mulberry Hill^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 114| BF

8/1

Fair handicap hurdler who was in the process of running well when departing on chasing debut at Ludlow 18 days ago. Merits respect back over the smaller obstacles.

Form: 45168-F

Non-Runners

Inca Prince¹³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: Ruth Jefferson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Midnight Ginger (11/4), Kihavah (16/5), Ashington (5/1), Shallow River (13/2), Inca Prince (7/1), Mulberry Hill (8/1), Tardree (11/1), Restitution (12/1), J'Ai Froid (22/1), Bon Retour (25/1)

INCA PRINCE shaped quite well at Aintree last time and, in the hope that he's returned to positive tactics, he gets the nod in this open-looking handicap. Kihavah and Tardree look the main dangers.