16:40 Market Rasen

Wednesday 20 March 2024

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0516:4017:15

James Arthur & Ella Henderson Live Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 5m 16.25s

Earth Cry^t1⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 99| C

16/1

Won both outings in bumpers and encouragement when fourth at Ludlow on first of his 2 starts over hurdles last season. After 12 months off (left Milton Harris), probably needed the run at Taunton in February, so he's one to note as he goes handicapping with tongue tie applied.

Form: 1/145-5

Martin Spirit^t⁹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Lee Edwards| T: A West| OR: 83

5/1

Winner over fences in France and, having had a wind op and switched to front-running tactics, finally opened his hurdles account with a comfortable success at Plumpton 9 days ago. Carries a penalty but could go well again now that he's up and running.

Form: 25-7801

Royal Max¹¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 87

40/1

Modest form at best for Nicky Henderson and has shown little in 3 starts for his current yard, faring no better in first-time cheekpieces/tongue tie when last of 4 at Southwell in November. Best watched after nearly 4 months off.

Form: 4-73P74

Yeomen Warder^t1⁴⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 82WS

9/1

Winning pointer who was well held in 3 novice hurdles towards the end of 2022. However, upped in trip he made no impression at Warwick (21f) on his handicap bow in February last year. Off 13 months (has had a wind op) with tongue tie on first time.

Form: P1/8090-

Billytherealbigred¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 94

1/3

Confirmed earlier promise when making a winning handicap debut at Leicester in January on his final run for Evan Williams, form which has worked out well. After 9 weeks off, landed the odds with a wide-margin success at Warwick 10 days ago, so he looks to hold leading claims.

Form: 2U311

Righteous Ruane²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 80

50/1

Didn't offer much in maiden hurdles for Paul John Gilligan but finished a bit closer than previously when fourth of 6 in novice at Carlisle (19.3f) on his stable debut in December. However, he was let down by his jumping in handicap at Wetherby 20 days ago. Has work to do.

Form: 8FP648

Non-Runners

Jumping Jupiter⁶³

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: C & A Pogson J: C J Todd

Geordie Night⁵²

Weight: 11-13| Age: 5

T: N Kent J: Charlie Hammond

Importateur²⁸⁶

Weight: 10-2| Age: 6

T: T R Gretton J: David Noonan

Forecasts

Billytherealbigred (1/3), Martin Spirit (5/1), Jumping Jupiter (8/1), Yeomen Warder (9/1), Geordie Night (14/1), Earth Cry (16/1), Importateur (25/1), Royal Max (40/1), Righteous Ruane (50/1)

BILLYTHEREALBIGRED has shown improved form switched to handicaps on his last 2 starts, making a winning stable debut with ease at Warwick 10 days ago, so he is the one to beat as he bids for his hat-trick. Martin Spirit gained his first success over hurdles at Plumpton on his latest outing and could be the biggest threat, ahead of Earth Cry.