3.55pm Market Rasen Tips & Betting Preview 22/07/2017

A field of eight go to post for the fifth race of the day at Market Rasen on Saturday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: It was hard not to be impressed by the way in which WHATZDJAZZ dismantled a novice field at Worcester on her latest start and her opening mark looks incredibly lenient on handicap debut. She should make a mockery of a mark of 122 as she continues her progressive curve in this sphere for the in form pairing of Dan and Harry Skelton, with conditions to suit. Her main danger is Guitar Pete who ran well on the flat twelve days ago and is more than capable off this mark. Now 21lbs below his last winning mark Call The Cops is clearly well treated on the best of his form but don’t be fooled, he’s on that mark for a reason.

1 MATORICO – Still five pounds higher than his last winning mark and although he was third in a competitive race at Sandown in April off only one pound lower, he has been poor since under both codes and more is needed against some in form rival. He was last seen on the flat in a weak handicap at Windsor, finishing a tailed off seventh and although he’ll be happier over hurdles, he clearly isn’t in the best form. Others are far more persuasive.

2 GUITAR PETE – Has gone close on two of his three starts for Nicky Richards, narrowly missing out in a handicap at Wetherby back in April over timber off a three pound lower mark. He was last seen better than ever on the flat, headed on the post in very unlucky style after faltering on the bend entering the straight. Well treated on the best of his previous form and this looks a good opportunity for him to go close under Davy Russell. Looks the biggest danger to the selection with conditions to suit.

3 RAINY CITY – Was running well enough over hurdles before returning to chasing the last twice, where he has been less than convincing for Paul Nicholls. His jumping fell to pieces here on his latest start and he found nothing off the bridle when only second the time before at Perth. His finishing effort is very easy to question and despite a return to hurdling a positive, others are far more convincing.

4 EXCELLENT RESULT – Won at Kempton on his penultimate hurdling start before a good second at Huntingdon off his revised mark, though he has followed that up with two poor efforts on the flat. He still remains with potential back over hurdles for Richard Spencer and a mark of 129 doesn’t look harsh judged on the ease in which he won at Kempton in March. His stamina would be the main concern, as he’s far from assured to stay and others look to have more pressing claims.

5 WHATZDJAZZ – Going from strength to strength over hurdles for Dan Skelton, winning with authority on her latest start when storming clear at Worcester over today’s trip. She quickened clear effortlessly and an opening mark of 122 looks lenient judged on that comprehensive demolition of a novice field. He still remains unexposed and should make a mockery of this mark on handicap debut to make it four wins from six over timber for an in form yard and rider.

6 SOLWAY DANDY – Had the race at his mercy when last seen at Perth before idling on the run in, headed on the line in agonising fashion. On that evidence a return to 2m 4f should help him massively, though a four pound rise for that effort and a rise in class aren’t going to make it easy for him to return to winning ways. At ten years old further improvement is unlikely to be forthcoming and although he can be given each way claims if matching that previous effort, he looks vulnerable for win purposes.

7 CALL THE COPS – Losing streak stretches all the way back to his brilliant win in the 2015 Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival, with his mark falling 21lbs since. His current mark of 117 represents just how poorly he has performed since, last seen at Uttoxeter where he dropped out incredibly tamely after being asked for an effort. Impossible to recommend on that basis as he continues to frustrate and disappoint.

8 TANGOLAN – Won off a stone higher at Perth over fences when last seen, keeping on for a game victory, but he is clearly a better horse in that disclipline and a return to hurdling isn’t guaranteed to bring about another win. In this sphere, he is back onto his last winning mark, but that victory came in Class 4 company and this race is evidently much tougher. Others make more appeal on this occasion.