Friday at Market Rasen: Perfect Conditions for a Cracking Card
Right then, Friday afternoon at Market Rasen and we've got ourselves a proper seven-race feast on good to soft ground - conditions that'll suit the genuine stayers and bring out the best in horses with a touch of class. The Lincolnshire track might not have the glamour of Cheltenham or the prestige of Aintree, but by God it knows how to serve up competitive racing, and today's Market Rasen racecard is no different.
That good to soft going is absolutely crucial today - it's the type of surface that separates the wheat from the chaff. The softer conditions will find out any horse that's not fully wound up, while rewarding those with the stamina to see out their trips properly. Mark my words, we'll see some surprising results from horses who've been crying out for this type of ground.
The Feature: Novices' Limited Handicap Chase Sets The Standard
The pick of the card has to be the 2:30 Novices' Limited Handicap Chase over two miles and six furlongs - it's worth £17,500 and features some proper talent. Only five runners, but what a quintet they are, headed by Paul Nicholls' Captain Bellamy with Harry Cobden in the saddle.
Captain Bellamy comes here rated 121 and has the look of a horse who's been placed to win. Nicholls doesn't send them this far north without good reason, and the combination of the trip, the ground, and Cobden's booking screams confidence. The seven-year-old has been knocking on the door in better company, and this looks like his moment to shine.
But don't go writing off Nicky Henderson's Fresh Kicks just yet. The six-year-old is only 3lbs lower in the weights and comes from a yard that knows exactly how to place their novice chasers. James Bowen takes the ride, and that's another positive - the Welshman doesn't often get the call for Henderson unless the horse has a real chance.
Course Specialists and Proven Performers
When you're looking at Market Rasen, you've got to respect the course and distance winners, and we've got several scattered throughout the card. In the 3:32 marathon hurdle, Peacenik brings both course and distance form to the table - that [C,D] next to his name tells you everything you need to know about his suitability for today's test.
The ten-year-old Botox Has is another who's proven at the track, and at this stage of his career, familiarity with the course could be the edge he needs. Don't be put off by his age - these old warriors often find their best form when they get back to a track they know like the back of their hand.
In the hunters' chase finale, Java Point and Inch House both bring course form, while Mister Coffey tops the ratings at 138. That's a serious mark for a hunters' chase, and with Nicky Henderson's name attached, he's clearly got ability to burn.
Nicholls' Double-Handed Attack
Paul Nicholls isn't content with just one runner today - he's got Grand Garcon lining up in the opening novices' hurdle as well. The six-year-old might not have a rating yet, but he's got Harry Cobden booked again, and when the champion trainer doubles up on a jockey for the day, you sit up and take notice.
Grand Garcon faces a different test in the opener against Came From Nowhere, who brings a lofty 132 rating to the table with Lorcan Williams aboard. That's a serious mark for a novice hurdle, but sometimes these highly-rated types can be vulnerable when they step up in trip or face different conditions.
The presence of Sean Bowen on Doujadou for Rebecca Curtis adds another layer of interest. The Bowen boys don't travel light, and when Sean Bowen makes the journey, it's usually worth noting.
Ground Conditions: The Great Leveller
This good to soft ground is going to be the making of some horses and the undoing of others. In the big handicap hurdle at 3:00, Helnwein tops the weights off 132, but he's got that [D] marker showing he's won at the course before. On this ground, that experience could prove invaluable.
Faivoir brings both course and distance form ([C,D]) and at eleven years old, he knows exactly what's required. Sometimes these old-timers can spring a surprise when conditions align perfectly with their strengths. The good to soft going will bring his stamina into play, and Miss Heidi Palin's 5lb claim could be just the ticket.
The marathon hurdle over three miles will be a proper test of stamina, and this ground will make it even more demanding. Supreme Malinas for the Skelton team catches the eye - he's got the breeding for this type of test, and Harry Skelton in the saddle is always a positive.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
If I'm putting my money where my mouth is today, Captain Bellamy in the feature chase is the one that screams value. The Nicholls-Cobden combination at this level is usually reliable, and the trip and ground are spot on.
Grand Garcon in the opener is worth a speculative interest - another Nicholls runner with Cobden aboard, and sometimes these unrated types can surprise when they're ready to show their true ability.
For the longer-priced punters, keep an eye on Botox Has in the stayers' hurdle. Course winners at double-figure prices don't come along every day, and on ground that will emphasize stamina, his experience could tell.
The good to soft conditions are perfect for a day where the strongest stayers will come to the fore. Don't be afraid to look beyond the obvious favorites - Market Rasen has a habit of producing surprises, and today's ground conditions suggest we might see a few more.
