HUNT
Fine Times
A justifiable favourite on the day, but had to pull out all of the stops
to see off the challenge of the Ababou. Loves Market Rasen and looks a
progressive type, but will find things tougher in better company.
Ababou
A cracking first British run from this six-year-old French import, he
looked to have every chance until being tapped for toe between the last
two. Jumped well on the whole and looks a “good thing” for a maiden
and has the scope to improve further.
Hopping Mad
Stepped up on his run behind Fine Times at the LUHC meeting, finishing
closer to the winner than previously. Jumps really well and is capable of
taking a maiden
CONFINED
Just Jake
Comfortably followed up his win at the LUHC meeting under a confident ride
from Nicky Tinkler. Seems to relish the tight turns of Market Rasen and
will continue to score on the easier tracks.
Eddie
Well
backed at the Brocklesby meeting, but was available at 16/1 here. Jumped
really well and although no chance with the winner, he wasn’t disgraced.
Would seem to be a little one paced, but his jumping is an asset and
deserves a small race.
Polly Live Wire
A diminutive mare by El Conquistador and despite her lack of size, she
really does give her all. Looks to have improved since leaving the
Millington stable and was doing her best work at the end of the race.
Needs a real test of stamina and will be seen at her best on longer
courses.
Macfin
Never a real danger, but if able to reproduce this form then would have a
serious chance of landing a restricted. Like Polly Live Wire, looks to
require a real test of stamina.
LADIES OPEN
Upham Lord
Arguably the best
Ladies horse in the country at the moment. Has developed a real rapport
with Jill Dawson after a shaky start last season. Has a high cruising
speed and able to quicken when required, it will take a serious horse to
beat him while he’s in this vein of form.
Monkey Ago
A cracking seasonal debut by the evergreen 15-year-old. A one stage looked
to have a serious chance of tackling Upham Lord (possibly flattered), but
ran out of gas between the third and second last. Finished well clear of
the third and will come on a bundle for the run, he should have no problem
in scoring against lesser rivals.
Temple Garth
Came out of the clouds to finish a well-beaten third. Looks to need a
really testing trip.
O’Fiach’s Hope
Well supported in the market and was still travelling well when crashing
out on the second circuit. This was his second fall inside a week (lost
Gemma Hutchinson at the first in a Folkstone hunter chase). Has ability
but looks headstrong and needs to concentrate on his fences.
RESTRICTED DIVISION ONE
Weavers Choice
Followed up his Horseheath maiden victory in good style, making all and
quickening up nicely at the end. Obviously a decent sort of animal, he
should be able to progress through the ranks and must be followed.
Gymcrak Gorjos
A good seasonal debut. Lost his chance when the leaders quickened up on
the second circuit and chased the winner in vain to finish six lengths
second. Won his maiden at Market Rasen and has been placed in two
restricteds here. Looks a ready made restricted winner on a similar
course.
Paddington Jones
Winner of a weak Brocklesby hunt race, he stepped up considerably on that
run finishing third. Although this was a decent run, it would appear that
he might have his work cut out if he is to score in this grade.
RESTRICTED
DIVISION TWO
Gunmetal
His first completion since taking a Brocklesby maiden two years ago. Was
given an easy run at Brocklesby last weekend and stayed on well under a
driving ride from Steve Charlton. Only a seven year old, but need to
improve if he’s to step up in class. One to keep an eye on.
Henry
Henbit
This was a good run on his first attempt in restricted company. Looked to
still hold a chance when hampered by two loose horses on the final bend,
but it’s hard to say if he would have beaten the winner. An improving
type and should take a race of this calibre before long.
CLB
Jemilla
Like Polly Live Wire, there’s not a lot of this mare, but she always
gives her best. Doesn’t appear to fully get the trip and struggles to
carry the weight. Would probably be better off in ladies races off 11st,
even though she is yet to land a restricted. Is going to remain hard to
place.
Via
De La Valle
Was still going well when losing Lucy Coney at the 14th. Would
appear to hold every chance of scoring in this grade.
MENS
OPEN
Copper Thistle
Jumped impeccably and galloped his rivals into the ground. Looks back to
his best, but remains vulnerable to younger speedier types. His flawless
jumping is his main asset and will continue to beat less fluent types.
Oliver
Himself
Was
always struggling to go with the winner, but came back lame and sadly
appears to have broken down again. A sad moment for connections and would
have been a serious horse if his legs had been better.
Rio’s
Lord
Stayed
on well to take third, but done no favours by the unique urgings of
Patrick Millington. Like most of the stables horses, he never appears to
run two races the same (though unlikely to be the horses fault) and it
will take a brave person to “have the money down” on him next time.
OPEN
MAIDEN DIVISION ONE
Gale Damage
Stepped up on his third to Vinto Tinto (subsequently placed in a hunter
chase) at the LUHC meeting a fortnight earlier to take the race with
relevant ease. Has looked a “bit of a thinker” on his past couple of
runs, but did nothing wrong here. The Robinson yard do well with this type
of horse and should be taking a restricted before the season’s end.
Golden
Rivet
An eye-catching debutant from the Gill Walford yard. Stayed on well under
a nice ride from Mark Walford to finish a good second. Only a
five-year-old (by Weld), he is one for the notebook.
My
Native Knight
Looked well in the paddock and ran well for a long way before weakening.
Perhaps not totally suited by the sticky going, he should have a chance of
taking a small race.
Redsands
Was well supported in the market, but pulled far too hard and was pulled
up early in the race. Will need to learn to settle better, but is from a
good yard (Tony Walker) and shouldn’t be written off at this early
stage.
Teeton
Priceless
Ran well, but had no chance with the winner when coming down two out. Has
run well in this grade twice and has chance of taking a maiden.
OPEN
MAIDEN DIVISION TWO
Miss Zarnni
Looked well in the paddock and took the race with relative ease. Should
have chances in restricteds.
Eastern
Point
Nibbled at in the market. Looked to be tailing off, but stayed on, making
good headway late on to finish second. This looked to be a confidence
restoring run after his tumble on the previous outing and can take a race
of this ilk.
Sharp
Madam
Lightly raced, but well related, being a half sister to the fragile Oliver
Himself. Looked to be going well until weakening quickly and finished
third. Possibly bogged down in the ground should run well on better
ground.
Millennium
Gold
Heavily
backed and looked to be going very nicely when unseating Nicky Tinkler
five from home. Must be followed and one for the notebook.
OPEN
MAIDEN DIVISION THREE
Bedtime Boys
From the Caroline Bailey yard, opened at 2/1 and was backed into evens in
seconds. Supporters were in no danger when he smoothly took up the running
two out and he won as he pleased. Only a five-year-old (by Gran Alba) and
potentially looks a very nice horse.
Ad
Lib
Was nibbled at in the market (20/1 into 14/1) and gave e/w supporters a
good run for their money to finish second under a power packed ride from
Andy Martin. The Rosemary Gasson\Andy Martin partnership do extremely well
with their horses and I will be surprised if this one does score before
the end of the season.
Geomar
Ran creditably for Annabelle Armitage to finish third. Jumps well and
deserves a small success.
Just
A Drummer
Not put into the race for the second successive time and seems to be
having a gentle introduction to pointing. One to keep an eye on.
OPEN
MAIDEN DIVISION FOUR
Ice Saint
Rewarded after his unlucky second last time out, but the task was made a
lot easier when On The Bone fell when upsides two out. Seems a weak
finisher and although he jumps well, he’ll find life tougher in
restricted company.
Strong
King
Made late ground to be a fast finishing second. By Strong Gale, so will
probably want better ground and can improve on this good introduction to
pointing.
Madmidge
With the leaders for most of the way but weakened to finish third. Ran
well on his first completion in points and should have a squeak in
maidens.
Minster
Echo
Not knocked about by Guy Brewer and stayed on to finish fourth. May have a
chance when more competitive.
On
The Bone
Still bang in contention when capsizing two from home. Is starting to look
a real contender in maidens and should have a chance of landing one with
luck on her side.
OPEN
MAIDEN DIVISION FIVE
Noble Affair
Came home well clear for Joe Docker on her racecourse debut and is clearly
a useful sort. Can take a restricted this season.
Its-On-The-Cards
Stayed on past grief stricken horses to finish a well-beaten second. Slow
and extremely moderate, but a steady jumper and stays all day. Provides a
lot of fun for the owner\rider, Rachel Atkinson.
Mighty
Rising
Well beaten in third. Is relatively inexperienced and will improve for the
run.
Tellaporky
Long-standing older maiden (13-year-old). Prominent for a long way but
tried his best to get rid of rider James Owen on more than one occasion
before weakening to finish fourth. May finally one day get his head in
front, but will need everything in his favour if he’s to do so.
Magic
Performer
Beaten
in second when coming down at the last, which was unlucky as up to this,
it had been a good debut by this six-year-old by Tragic Role. Had a tough
race here and if recovered from the heavy fall, then he may be able to
score.
Highlands
II
Well supported favourite, but was given an easy introduction by Gary
Hamner. Didn’t seem to enjoy the ground, but from a good yard and should
be watched closely in future.
RIDERS
OF NOTE
Nicky Tinkler
Rides with a lot of confidence in his races and looks a good judge of
pace. Still young, but looks to have many of the attributes that could
make him a very decent rider.
Matthew
Mackley
Rarely comes away from the Market Rasen meetings without a winner and
rides the course better than most. A tidy horseman and can ride a good
finish when required.
Mark
Walford
Although Mark didn’t ride a winner here, he caught the eye riding Golden
Rivet in the maiden. Seems to have improved considerably over the past
couple of seasons and is fast becoming one of the better young riders on
the Yorkshire circuit. Is still improving and will benefit from more
experience.
Lenny
Hicks
Lenny could have easily have come away with a double here if On The Bone
had stood up in the maiden. Gave Native Cove a great ride the previous
weekend at Weston Park and is as good a rider as you will find around the
Midlands area.
Joe
Docker
Joe seems to come away with at least one winner from every meeting these
days. Is getting more outside rides this season and at last is getting the
chance to demonstrate why he’s one of the best riders around.
Andy
Martin
Andy dumfounded the experts on more than one occasion last season,
winning hunter chases on rank outsiders Romany Chat and Secret Truth, as
well as just failing in a Cheltenham hunter chase onboard the maiden,
Mustang Molly. If you've backed a horse which Andy's riding, then you know
that it's going to get the maximum amount of assistance from its rider and
even if things look bleak, don't give up just yet as Andy might still just
get your selection home! |