A field of seven go to post for the fourth race of the day at Market Rasen on Monday, see our betting tips and full race preview below.
IN SUMMARY: Future Gilded has to be of interest returning to hurdles off a 5lb lower mark than his chasing one, but this can go to last year’s winner MOIDORE. Although he hasn’t been at his best this season for Charles Pogson, his mark has been slowly slipping and he posted his best effort yet this season when sixth at Towcester eleven days ago, not beaten at all far and not hard pushed either. He’s now onto his last winning mark and is likely to put up a big fight with conditions to suit, so has to be respected.
1 MOIDORE – Won this race last year for Charles Pogson and although he hasn’t been at his best this season, his mark has been slowly slipping down. He’s now back onto his last winning mark and posted his best effort so far this season when sixth at Towcester, not beaten far and not given a hard time of things under Adam Pogson. Conditions will suit and if back to near his best off this mark he’d be very dangerous and looks the likely to put up a big fight. Respected.
2 FUTURE GILDED – Has raced exclusively over fences since joining Jamie Snowden, performing well with a string of good efforts this year. He won at Catterick three starts ago (2m 3f, Good to Soft) and has since finished second twice, going down narrowly on both occasions. This is his first start over hurdles in Britain and his mark over timber is 5lb lower than his chasing mark at 118, so he could be well treated on the best of his chasing form. Likely candidate with conditions to suit and should be respected.
3 BOWIE – Likes it here in the main and confirmed that when winning here two weeks ago over a shorter trip (2m 2f, Soft), running on strongly to grab the lead at the shadows of the post. Now up 7lb though and he still needs to prove his suitability for the trip, as although he was third here over a similar distance in February, he pulled up on another attempt. If getting the trip, he’d have to be considered a place contender with conditions to suit and shouldn’t be discounted.
4 POPELYS GULL – Has been showing consistency this season for Pam Sly and posted another solid effort when second at Southwell on in his latest start, only beaten three quarters of a length (2m 7f, Soft). That was only his second attempt at trips past 2m 4f so he is thoroughly exposed at this trip, so could have more to offer in time. Kielan Woods takes the ride and although he’s yet to win in nine rules starts, a mark of 115 does give him possibilities. Definite place contender and cannot be ignored.
5 GREY MONK – Previous C&D winner back in May 2015 off today’s mark, though he’s only here after four mediocre performances since then. His latest run when fourth at Sedgefield wasn’t necessarily a bad run despite being well beaten, behind some useful types (2m 5f, Good to Soft) and showed possibly that he was coming back towards his best. More certainly needed though in this though and others can have better cases made for them, though ground conditions are coming into his favour. Cannot be ruled out but others make more appeal.
6 ZARA HOPE – Six year old who tends to go well fresh but does need more on what’s she has shown previously for the out of sorts Charlie Longsdon yard. Although a good winner at this course in October (2m 4f, Good), she failed to back that up over the same C&D when well beaten in sixth. Something to prove now but she does have conditions to suit and could go well again now she’s been given a break with Richard Johnson taking the ride. Not one to discount.
7 WAKE YOUR DREAMS – Now 11lb below his last winning mark and although that is due to his mainly poor performances this year, he’s very dangerous if the first time visor does the trick for Jennie Candlish’s nine year old. He was very laboured when fourth at Musselburgh earlier this month, jumping poorly and will need to improve on that markedly to feature. Risky candidate but needs close attention.