Market Rasen - Saturday 19th July 2025
LARAVIE took her time to learn her trade before winning on her seventh start over hurdles at Stratford and following up twice at Uttoxeter, the latest by 13 lengths in June. She has every chance of adding to that tally. Isle Of Sark showed plenty of improvement for the step up in trip when easily winning over a furlong further at Newton Abbot, while Intosomethinggood could settle better upped in trip as he looks for his hurdling hat-trick.
Deploy To Spy has won four starts over hurdles including last time at Worcester where he kept on over further to score by close to three lengths. Cheekpieces are added here as he drops back in trip, and he might be the biggest danger to BENVOY. Upped 11lb for an easy win at Ascot in a better race in March, the four-year-old may have more to offer up in distance. Maghlaak has plenty to find, but he could still pick up third place prize money.
Castel Gandolfo won this last year and races off 5lb higher now after another C&D win last month, which will put him spot on for this. Goblet Of Fire is lightly raced over hurdles and warrants plenty of respect after a five-length third in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock in May off the same mark, but SIR GALAHAD could be the one. Unbeaten over hurdles with four successes, a strongly-run race over this trip should play to his strengths, with an added 5lb unlikely to stop him winning once more.
Last year's hero SURE TOUCH hasn't been seen since finishing down the field at Ayr in April but has surely been laid out to land this event once again. First-time cheekpieces could help sharpen him up and from 1lb below last year's success, he should go close. Mickey Bowen boasts a strong hand with Statuario and Courtland, while Irish raiders Ballysax Hank and Ceanndana also merit respect. Horantzau D'airy bounced back to form with a creditable second at Uttoxeter in May and is just one more to consider.
ROCKS UP LATE didn't show much over hurdles but the Vadamos gelding has completely transformed since being sent chasing. Three from three following an cosy success at Worcester last month, a further 8lb rise in the handicap could be lenient. Greenways recorded a narrow triumph at Uttoxeter latest but is respected from 3lb higher, while Prospect House, two from two over this C&D, is another to take seriously.
The hat-trick seeking Game Beaaa is likely to mount a bold bid after his 13-length romp over C&D last time, but his chance is there for all to see. Therefore, it may pay to side with SHARP GLANCE, who struck in this grade at Bangor earlier in the month and the assessor may have been kind to only put her up 5lb. Alan King's mare makes just her second handicap appearance and may have lots more to offer. Of the remainder, last-time-out Worcester scorer Scintillante makes the most appeal.
A Dublin Job hasn't finished outside of the top two in each of his last four outings, most recently finishing second at Stratford and is likely to be thereabouts. Leading Force continues to be in good form and is another to note, but ANOTHER LORD looks the way to go. The eight-year-old justified favouritism by just under two lengths at Uttoxeter last month and with the Mickey Bowen yard in brilliant form, he looks the one to beat again.
A strong novice to open where LARAVIE is fancied to continue her winning run. Though she was aided by a late faller last time she easily dispatched Mohawk Chief and the form of her initial victory has been franked. Isle Of Sark deservedly got his head in front in this sphere last time and likely has more to offer judged on his flat form so may provide the main challenge along with hat trick seeker Intosomethinggood. That rival shaped as if this longer trip would deliver more when winning over a stiff 2m last time so should hold every chance.
DEPLOY TO SPY was seen in much better races than this last term and gained some compensation when dropped in grade last time. He's only gone up 3lb for that and the way he travelled suggested that the drop back in trip won't be an issue so he is fancied to follow up in first time cheekpieces. Broughshane didn't kick on last season having shown early promise but that autumn form has worked out very well so he could bounce back on stable debut providing the biggest challenge. The steadily progressive D'jo Dela Barriere can also play a part if getting a stiff test at the trip.
An open race where it may be worth taking a chance on NO RISK WITH LOU from the in form Alex Hales yard. He was a recent chase winner and would've followed up but for falling late last time so arrives in form. He is thrown in on those chase efforts and is completely unexposed in this sphere having had just the 4 outings. Ex flat performer D Day Arvalenreeva is a C&D winner and is 3-3 since going handicapping so is feared most with further improvement likely while Moon Chime is also respected. He was well fancied for a hot Aintree handicap before coming down early but made amends in impressive fashion when dropped in grade last time and may still have mileage in his mark. James Owen throws a few darts in Nibras Gold, Cavern Club and Nibras Gold all of whom hold some sort of chance in a competitive event.
An open race where the least exposed in the field BALLYSAX HANK appeals most. He's been in good form over hurdles recently and is very well treated on his chase runs earlier in the year. He was given a suspect ride when last seen over fences suggesting that he has more to offer now upped in trip in handicaps. His sole victory from his limited chase efforts came on good ground and he can get the better of the consistent Vintage Fizz who has a poor strike rate but a good record at this venue. Last year's winner Sure Touch is also respected from a 1lb lower mark. He has been struggling for form this term but the handicapper has relented and a revival is expected in the first time cheekpieces. Ceanndana might be racing from out of the weights but the Irish raider has proven steadily progressive over a variety of trips and should come on for his latest run so isn't dismissed stepped back up in distance. The progressive Charlie Uberalles has shown a liking for a sound surface and completes the list of dangers.
ROCKS UP LATE is unbeaten over fences and has looked worth more than the winning margin on all of those starts after idling in front. With an easy lead likely once again he is expected to defy an 8lb rise at the expense of multiple course winner Prospect House. That rival was no match for a well handicapped winner last time but can resume his progress back down to his optimum trip. Lermoos Legend looked a touch unwilling last time but has dropped to an attractive mark and completes the list of dangers.
Though Sean Bowen prefers the well treated Inca Prince to GAVIN his charge has a long absence to overcome and his family's horse looks the one to be with. He was a cosy winner from the front in the spring beating a rival who has won twice since and with an easy lead possible once again he could be tough to reel in off a light weight. Sharp Glance is 2-4 over hurdles and is feared most with further improvement likely but this is much tougher than her latest assignments while the in form Scintillante is also respected. He still has mileage in his mark on his flat form but will need a stiff test at the trip.
An open race where a number of them look well handicapped. BORN BRIGHT relished the step up to 3m on her handicap debut needing every yard to get up and likely has more to offer over staying trips. She remains on a good mark on her hurdle form and can account for in form Leading Force who was just outstayed late by a hugely progressive rival last time over slightly further. Course specialist Giovanni Change won twice over C&D this year before finding the drop back in trip unsuitable last time. He can bounce back and challenge while at a bigger price Sweet Street makes some limited appeal. She's hinted at a revival off a much reduced mark the last twice and will appreciate this much stiffer test.
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