2.50pm Market Rasen Tips & Betting Preview 07/02/2017

An eight runner handicap at Market Rasen is the third race of the day on Tuesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: A very interesting contest can go the way of COOLE CODY. Running very well the last twice when setting the pace, he was a clear second behind an unbeaten Harry Fry runner on his latest start at Exeter. The softer conditions will suit him perfectly and if once again given a soft lead out in front he should be very hard to catch, and can repel the challenges of Anchor Man and Bastien, who both bring sold form into the race.

1 BASTIEN – Showed definite promise in bumpers and has transferred that ability over obstacles. A clear cut winner on debut at Fontwell on Boxing Day, he progressed as expected to go in again at Plumpton with the minimum of fuss (1m 7f, Soft). Has top weight to carry which is a slight concern against opponents with room for improvement, but he also has scope for further progress and that is likely with Alan King’s yard going well with a record of 5-25 in the past two weeks.  Likely to be in the thick of it and has to be respected with Wayne Hutchinson taking the ride.

2 ANCHOR MAN – Bought after winning a point to point and joined the Paul Nicholls yard, winning on debut comfortably at Exeter in November (2m 5f, Good). He was then immediately pitched into Grade 2 at Cheltenham where he wasn’t disgraced to finish last, only beaten around 8 lengths by Wholestone (2m 7f, Soft). His latest run at Wincanton in January wasn’t a disgrace either as he was thirty lengths clear of the third and kept on well despite not matching the pace of the winner. Dropping down in trip shouldn’t be too much of a hindrance and he receives 4lb from Bastien which makes him even more interesting. Likely to have much more to offer and has to be respected for Paul Nicholls and Sam Twiston-Davies.

3 ANY DRAMA – Has some very useful bumper form including a rout of Sutton Manor on his last start on the flat, with that Gordon Elliot horse finishing a good second behind Isleofhopeandreams in a competitive three mile handicap at Punchestown on Sunday. On that basis he should be even better over hurdles, and his fourth on hurdling debut at Newbury in November wasn’t devoid of promise, though he weakened out of it quite tamely (2m 4f, Soft). Likely to be capable of much better yet for Harry Fry and Noel Fehily and shouldn’t be taken lightly, as he’ll have learned a lot from that first experience of hurdles on the race track. Likely to run a big race and has to be respected.

4 BALLY GILBERT – Finished second on his only bumper start after two places in bumpers, and he was completely outclassed on hurdling debut when pitched into Grade 2 company immediately at Cheltenham in November (2m 5f, Good). He travelled well to a point that day and was better when making the running at Hereford in January, though he could only muster up fifth place in the end (2m 3f, Soft). Likely capable of better but others do have sounder claims and may be one for the handicaps further down the line, though he wouldn’t be amiss in the places.

5 CAKE DE L’ISLE – Runs for the leading connections of Jonjo O’Neill and Trevor Hemmings but was poor on bumper debut when ninth at Uttoxeter, well beaten after rapidly weakening at the two furlong pole (2m, Soft). Likely to be capable of better though upped in trip as his pedigree suggests so all hope is certainly not lost on hurdling debut. He does lack the experience though which is a concern, but if taking well to obstacles he’d have live each way claims with Aidan Coleman taking the ride. Needs a market check.

6 COOLE CODY – Showed ability in bumpers and although poor on hurdling debut at Uttoxeter (2m 3f, Soft), he was much improved the last twice with two game efforts in defeat from the front, finishing second at Exeter on his latest start (2m 5f, Soft) in a valiant effort. If given a soft lead again today with conditions to suit he’s likely to be very hard to catch as he receives 9lb (including Harry Cobden’s 3lb claim) and upwards from his two main rivals in the market. Should be tough to peg back for Michael Blake and has to be respected.

7 KAYF ADVENTURE – Useful in bumpers back in early 2015 and returned from a 655 day absence when finishing third and five lengths behind Coole Cody at Exeter on hurdling debut (2m 2f, Good to Soft). Considering the size of the break that was a good effort and he races for the currently in form Philip Hobbs yard with Richard Johnson taking the ride for the first time. Entitled to come on from that effort and judging by his pedigree the step up in trip should suit, so he can’t be discounted and is worth a second look.

8 PETITE GANACHE – Has a useful looking pedigree for Nicky Richards but has been a no show on both efforts over hurdles thus far, the latest of which when well beaten at odds of 40/1 at Ayr in January (2m, Heavy). Steps up in trip but that isn’t enough to tempt today and likely best watched.