Market Rasen - Monday 2nd June 2025
Queensworthy could prove popular here for the Skeltons after winning her bumper readily enough at Southwell and she might be a big player here on her hurdling debut. APPLESHAW was second on her only start in a Plumpton bumper. With the winner of that contest placing in a Listed bumper before winning over hurdles, that form has an above average look to it. Sharona is another of interest if wind-surgery and a tongue-tie bring about any improvement.
IRON HEART came home 11 lengths clear of his rivals here over hurdles last month, but he returns to fences now where he gets to race off 10lb lower than his new rating over the smaller obstacles. Although yet to win a chase, he has got placed form at this level and above. Cloudy Wednesday was a half-length second over C&D off this mark in May and warrants serious consideration, leaving Watchoutitscookie to follow them home.
Square Du Roule was third at Newton Abbot last month and back up in trip, there is every chance he can get involved where it matters. Matoury was not disgraced over C&D on his first start in over a year and he could surprise a few, but ST PATRICKS BRIDGE is preferred. A spell in point-to-points appears to have rejuvenated him with two wins and a second from five starts and he can go well off this mark on his return to the Fergal O'Brien team.
PRINCE IMPERIAL went agonisingly close to landing a four-timer when caught in the dying strides at Warwick. A 2lb rise looks manageable and another bold bid from Olly Murphy's progressive hurdler seems assured. Donnie Azoff won nicely at Uttoxeter on his return from a layoff and should prove competitive once again, while Go Go Chicago remains unexposed after scoring at Perth and further progress is anticipated.
GWENNIE MAY JEM goes from strength to strength over fences. He forged clear at Newton Abbot last month to land a double and Dan Skelton's five-year-old looks capable of defying a 10lb hike with plenty more to come over the larger obstacles. Prospect House won over course and distance in April and is no forlorn hope back at this venue, while My Virtue made a promising start over fences when runner-up at Stratford and she could land a blow.
Although he ended his latest campaign below par, it could be worth chancing NACHTGEIST on his first outing for Olly Murphy. The five-year-old is 1lb below his runner-up effort at Huntingdon in October last year and a reproduction of that effort would make him tough to beat. Market House arrives on the back of a triumph on the level and reverting to an extended 2m over hurdles is unlikely to prevent another bold bid. Gms Prince is also noted.
Having offered plenty of encouragement on his second-placed debut at Plumpton last month, it is difficult to get away from I'M A BELIEVER in this small-field affair. The Elusive Pimpernel gelding should put that experience to good use and compensation could be imminent. Rodeo is a potential fly in the ointment on his opening bid and market support would be interesting. Santorini Grey is the pick of the remainder.
A host of useful bumper performers making their hurdling debuts in what looks a strong race. Queensworthy justified strong support last time and ought to relish this longer trip judged on her point form so makes plenty of appeal. However CELESTRON STAR was 2-4 in bumpers and thought well enough of to contest a Graded contest in the spring so may have a class edge on her rivals. Appleshaw was a touch unlucky to be defeated on her sole bumper start after meeting trouble and will also pose a threat on her hurdles debut.
Though he's yet to win over fences it is tough to get away from IRON HEART who was revived over hurdles here last time beating an in form rival. He remains thrown in on his best hurdle form and can defeat Cloudy Wednesday who faces competition on the front end but has been running well of late over similar trips. Tiny Tantrum needs to prove the ability remains after a lay off but conditions will suit and he has tumbled down the weights so isn't ruled out.
DAPPER GENT remains a maiden but he has proven generally consistent and he chased home an improving rival last time. He looks well treated back in handicap company and could get the better of recent point winner St Patricks Bridge who hasn't been seen under rules for a couple of years but isn't fully exposed. Matoury hinted at a revival last time and is entitled to come on for the run. Given his good course record he could go well at generous odds.
A strong and open contest where the progressive LETTERSTON LADY appeals most. She was a cosy winner here last time and has only gone up 4lb for the success. Furthermore the way she travelled that day suggested that this drop back in trip would do her no harm. Progressive top weight Prince Imperial is feared most despite his winning run coming to an end last time in a strong race. Bottom weight Bannister is also interesting at potentially generous odds. He is a course winner and was far from disgraced on his reappearance where he shaped as if this step up in trip would be of benefit.
GWENNIE MAY JEM is the obvious choice in his hat trick bid with a further 10lb rise underestimating the ease of his latest victory. His previous form has been franked and he should be able to get the better of Prospect House one of the few rivals with chase experience who arrives in good form. Foreverwalking showed glimpses of promise over hurdles and is open to improvement now chasing given he's a point winner. He completes the list of dangers.
A strong contest for the grade which is likely to be fought out by the dual purpose performers. MARKET HOUSE was outstayed when last seen over hurdles so will appreciate this drop back in trip and looks thrown in on his flat efforts this year which have yielded 3 victories. He gets the verdict over the returning Nachtgeist who hated the soft ground last time but is feasbily treated on his autumn runner up effort where he finished 11l ahead of a rival who has won 5 times since. Veteran Buxted Reel snapped a long losing run on his last flat outing and is open to improvement now handicapping in this sphere.
I'M A BELIEVER is the clear form pick here having finished runner up to a more experienced rival on debut despite being forced wide. The sole threat may come from Rodeo who represents a yard whose last couple of winners were bumper newcomers.
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