Setting the Scene at Market Rasen
Now, I know what you're thinking — Market Rasen in July, flat racing, two miles and a bit, sixty grand in prize money? That's not your typical Saturday afternoon fodder, and you'd be right to sit up and take notice. The Pertemps Network Handicap Stakes (Class 2, GBBPlus) has quietly become one of the more intriguing staying handicaps on the summer flat calendar, drawing out a field of genuine quality from some of the sharpest yards in the country. Seven declared, and every single one of them has something going for them on paper. But paper doesn't win races, as my old uncle Declan used to say — and he lost a fortune proving it.
The going is currently Good to Firm, sitting on the easy side of that description, which is a crucial detail we'll come back to. With 2m 110y to navigate and a rating band that's wide open, this is a proper test of stamina and class. Let's get into the weeds of it, shall we?
Contender-by-Contender Breakdown
Duraji (9-12) — Richard Hughes / Finley Marsh
Top weight, top billing. The five-year-old colt carries 9-12 for Richard Hughes, who has been quietly putting together a very tidy season. Hughes doesn't send horses to Market Rasen for the scenery — when he travels, he means business. Finley Marsh takes the ride, and while he's not the most fashionable name in the weighing room, he's a sharp, tidy jockey who rides a strong finish. The concern here is the draw — stall 7 in a seven-runner field isn't the end of the world over this trip, but it does mean Marsh will need to be switched on from the off. At a rating of 96, Duraji is the classiest horse in the race on official figures, and if Hughes has him cherry-ripe, he's the one they all have to beat.
Bahadur (9-10) — S.P.C. Woods / William Buick
Now here's where it gets interesting. William Buick doesn't turn up for the fun of it, and when you see his name on a four-year-old colt drawn in stall 1, your ears should prick up like a startled terrier. S.P.C. Woods is a trainer who flies under the radar far too often, and Bahadur at 9-10 with the low draw is an absolutely mouthwatering proposition. Stall 1 over two miles on a track like this could be a significant advantage — you get to dictate your own race, save ground on the rail, and let the others do the worrying. Rated 94, he's only 2lb behind the top weight and has the firepower to go very close indeed.
Team Player (9-8) — Ewan Whillans / Greg Fairley
A distance winner wearing a tongue tie — that combination alone tells you Ewan Whillans is treating this with the utmost seriousness. Greg Fairley is a canny operator who knows how to get a tune out of a gelding at this level, and the fact that Team Player has already won over the trip is a massive tick in the box. The tongue tie suggests there may have been some breathing or racing issues in the past, but the fact that it's been used before and the horse is still winning suggests it's working a treat. Drawn in stall 6, he'll need to travel smoothly, but on going that's on the easy side of Good to Firm, a horse who stays this trip well is going to be right in the mix come the final furlong.
Ride The Thunder (9-5) — Roger Varian / Tom Marquand
Roger Varian. Tom Marquand. Two miles. You don't need me to tell you that's a formidable combination. Varian has an extraordinary record with horses that need time and distance, and Ride The Thunder at 89 looks fairly treated on these terms. Stall 3 is a perfectly respectable draw, and Marquand is the kind of jockey who'll ride the race rather than the horse — he'll be patient, he'll pick his moment, and he'll arrive with a late rattle if the pace is honest. The danger is that on going this quick, Varian's horses occasionally find the ground a touch lively. One to keep a very close eye on in the market.
Shrimp Shady (9-3) — Andrew Balding / Rob Hornby
I'll be honest with you — the name alone had me chuckling into my coffee. But Shrimp Shady is no joke. Andrew Balding has been in cracking form this season, and Rob Hornby is a jockey who punches well above his public profile. Rated 87, he's got plenty of weight in hand compared to the top weights, and if Balding has spotted a weakness in this field, this is the kind of horse he'd use to exploit it. No headgear, no course form — but sometimes a fresh horse on a fair mark is exactly what you want.
Baileys Khelstar (9-0) — Charlie Johnston / Rossa Ryan
A course winner at 84 — that's your classic each-way stalwart. Charlie Johnston knows Market Rasen well, and a horse that's already won around here is never to be dismissed lightly. Rossa Ryan is a quality jockey who'll give him every chance. The weight advantage over the top two is significant over this trip, and on going that suits a galloping type, Baileys Khelstar could outrun his odds.
Going and Draw Analysis
The going description — Good to Firm, on the easy side — is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. It's fast enough to suit a horse with a good cruising speed, but that slight ease in the ground means pure stamina won't be punished. Horses who stay well but need a bit of cut to show their best form will find this more than acceptable. It's not a surface that'll suit a fragile-legged type, but for a sound, well-made stayer, this is close to ideal summer conditions.
On the draw, with only seven runners over 2m 110y, it's not as critical as a sprint, but stall 1 (Bahadur) is a genuine advantage — you save ground, you control your own fate, and you don't get into trouble. Stall 7 (Duraji) is the least desirable, and Finley Marsh will need to ride positively to avoid being shuffled back and left with too much to do. Check the full Market Rasen racecard for any last-minute market moves before you commit.
Value Pick and Dangers
My value pick is Bahadur. The combination of stall 1, William Buick in the saddle, a trainer who travels with intent, and a rating that puts him right in the mix — it all adds up to a horse who could be sent off at a price that doesn't fully reflect his chance. If the market makes him second or third favourite, I'd be snapping him up each-way without a second thought.
The biggest danger is Almuhit — don't let that 82 rating fool you. A course winner AND a distance winner at seven years of age means this horse knows exactly what he's doing around here. Faye Bramley has kept him fresh, the tongue tie is clearly working, and Sean Levey will ride him cold and wait. At big odds, he's an each-way steal.
Tom's Tip: Bahadur to Win
Right, here's where I plant my flag. Bahadur is my selection for the Pertemps Network Handicap Stakes. William Buick doesn't travel to Market Rasen on a Saturday afternoon to make up the numbers — he's there to win, full stop. The low draw is a gift over this trip, the trainer is underrated, and a four-year-old colt rated 94 has every right to be competitive at this level. If the going stays on the easy side of Good to Firm, I expect him to travel sweetly, hit the front at the right moment, and hold on gamely. Each-way at a generous price, Almuhit is the saver. This is a cracking little race — enjoy it.
Who is the favourite for the Pertemps Network Handicap Stakes at Market Rasen?
Based on official ratings, Duraji (rated 96, trained by Richard Hughes) heads the field and is likely to be sent off as market favourite. However, the presence of William Buick on Bahadur in stall 1 could see that one attract significant market support closer to race time. Always check the latest market moves on the morning of the race, as trainer and jockey bookings at this level often tell a story of their own.
Does the draw matter in the Pertemps Network Handicap Stakes over 2m 110y?
Over a trip as long as 2m 110y, the draw is less decisive than in a sprint, but it's far from irrelevant. Stall 1 (Bahadur) offers the advantage of a clean passage on the inside rail and the ability to dictate your own position without burning unnecessary energy. Stall 7 (Duraji, the top weight) is the least favourable, and jockey Finley Marsh will need to be proactive early to avoid getting caught wide or too far back in a small field.
Is Market Rasen a good track for front-runners in flat racing?
Market Rasen is a right-handed, undulating track that rewards horses with a good engine and the ability to travel smoothly. Front-runners and prominent racers tend to do well here, particularly over staying distances, as the pace can become honest enough to suit those who get into a rhythm early. On Good to Firm ground, the track rides fairly quickly, which means a horse who can control the gallop from the front — like Bahadur from stall 1 — has a genuine tactical edge.
