Race Time: 2.50pm Meeting: Market Rasen Day: Saturday 26th September Distance: 2m 5f 89yds
Full Race Name: Racing FX Prelude Chase Handicap Class 1 (Listed Race) Class One
We are really looking forward to this handicap chase as we say hello again to plenty of old friends who are all set to make their seasonal returns this afternoon. Claret Cloak (12/1) carries top weight of eleven stone twelve for trainer Emma Lavelle who has booked the excellent Aidan Coleman to ride here. An eight year old son of Vinnie Roe, he has won six races in total, one bumper, three hurdles, and two chases, but never beyond two mile and half a furlong despite three failed attempts, so we would have to be more than a little concerned that he will fail to get home and we cannot suggest him as a bet for that very reason. Gray Hession (9/2) is another we need to include with Jonjo O’Neill doing well already this year and looking to add a third win this season for the eight year old gelding. Both those victories have been by a neck at Southwell so we know he has plenty of tenacity when called upon for his efforts, but have to note he has now been put up a total of a stone which must be close to stopping his chances this afternoon, decent recent form or not.
Returning to the tried and tested concept of relying on the bigger/better powerhouse trainers, Philip Hobbs looks likely to send the ridiculously consistent Cloud Creeper (8/1), who looks as solid an each way option as you are likely to find. A winning point to pointer back in 2012, the eight year old gelding has only had the five races over then larger obstacles, winning three and finishing second in the other two, hence his handicap mark near the top of 152! His last run was a five length second to Big Casino (a horse we have been following since his 33/1 wining debut), which is no real disgrace as he was giving the winner a stone and twelve pounds, and he should really find this a little easier and prove very difficult to keep out of the frame. Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls has decided to rely on Valco De Touzaine (5/1) this afternoon and if the Champion trainer thinks he is the better of his original entries then he must be. A length second to Standing ovation at Newton Abbot last time out, he had Claret Cloak beaten off that day and although he is four pounds worse off today, that seems unlikely to be enough to turn ten lengths or so around, and even as one of the stable’s lesser lights, he may still be able to run in to a place at least this afternoon. In what looks like a superb race (on paper at least), our last suggestion will be for Oscar Rock (4/1) who will represent the Malcolm Jefferson yard with Brian Hughes expected to ride. Just the four races over fences have seen an educational second at Kelso followed by wins at Newcastle and back at Kelso, and ending with a fall at Ayr (not really his fault, he was badly hampered), after which he has been given a long rest. Only a seven year old, he seems a shoe in to improve with more races this season and if he is fit enough to do himself justice could be an interesting option depending on his price, in what is a fascinating race that we can all learn from for the season ahead.