2.25pm Market Rasen Tips & Betting Preview 01/12/2016

A competitive 9 runner handicap is the 5th race at Market Rasen on Thursday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: A tricky handicap may go the way of NEXT EDITION, who is very lightly raced over hurdles and returned to this discipline with a nice 2nd at Market Rasen. Tt makes sense that he now goes up in trip after that effort. Dangers include The Last Bar who is surely capable of better than his return this month and Chic Theatre off of top weight.

1 FIRST FANDANGO – Had useful form in the book but last two runs have been very uninspiring, the latest of which when tailed off at 50/1 at Wincanton (2m3f, Good). If at peak form he would have a huge chance of victory but in his current mood he cannot be put forward for today.

2 CHIC THEATRE – Promising start over hurdles but hasn’t been progressive of late and was poor latest at Cheltenham (2m5f, Soft). Needs to resume progress but in current mood he may well be vulnerable off of top weight.

3 CROOKSTOWN – Was showing good form last year but hasn’t been showing anywhere near that type of form lately, his latest Warwick run where he pulled up summing up his mood (2m3f, Soft). Can’t be recommended in his current state and needs to prove he is still capable of putting in good performances.

4 NORTH COUNTRY BOY – Not seen since March 2015 when not really progressing over hurdles, posting 3 similar efforts culminating in a 4th place at this venue (2m2f, Good). Best watched on his return to action and needs to improve to get involved here.

5 MR SNOOZY – Very inconsistent but capable at his best, which he rarely shows. Should strip fitter for his 7th of 11 at Sedgefield this month (2m4f, Good to Soft) but not the most convincing and hard to win with, so may well struggle today.

6 THE LAST BAR – Was progressing well last season and should strip fitter for his latest comeback at Sedgefield 3 weeks ago (2m, Good to Soft). Goes back up in trip which is a good move and if coming on for that reappearance he has to be considered a major contender for this race.

7 GREEN ZONE – Very inconsistent like a few of these and good runs are very rare, as are wins. Pulled up latest at Musselburgh (2m3f, Good) after a good penultimate run at Ayr (2m5f, Soft). Would have a chance on his peak form but that really doesn’t happen too often and can’t be backed with any confidence.

8 TIGER TWENTY TWO – 1-28 under rules and is still a maiden over obstacles and needs to improve on peak efforts to have a chance here. First run since August and best watched.

9 NEXT EDITION – Very lightly raced over hurdles and returned to this discipline with a good 2nd at Market Rasen latest (2m2f, Good). Going up in trip seems the right move now and Harry Teal takes off a useful 7lb off of an already basement mark. Should run a good race today and needs respecting hugely.

myracing Forecast Prices: 15/8 Chic Theatre, 11/4 The Last Bar, 10/3 Next Edition, 6/1 North Country Boy, 7/1 Mr Snoozy, 10/1 Green Zone, 14/1 Crookstown, 14/1 Tiger Twenty Two, 25/1 First Fandango