Racecards
15:40 Market Rasen
Handsome Cabs 10th Birthday Handicap Hurdle (Class D)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm
Ela Re
29- Form 0-11634
- Age 4
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer C R Dore
- Jockey R Thornton
tracked leaders, headway to chase winner 4th, hit next, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced
Bitter Sweet
148- Form 24135-3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Spearing
- Jockey H Oliver
held up in rear, took closer order 4th, ridden to chase winner when blundered 2 out, no impression after
Moon Colony
132- Form 245U3-1
- Age 10
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer A Forbes
- Jockey Xavier Aizpuru
led to 2nd, remained close up till lost place 4th, soon tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Red Sun had a progressive profile when last seen over hurdles and having shown improved form on the flat since is taken to carry on where he left off and score at the main expense of Ela Re and Bitter Sweet. The selection was winning for the third time of the season when scoring at Hereford in May and lost no caste in defeat on his only subsequent outing over hurdles when second here later that month. Three decent efforts on the flat since then confirm his well being and, off just a 4lb higher mark than at Hereford, he looks the one to be on. Ela Re looked in need of the run at Stratford on his recent return and should strip fitter today. He rates a bigger danger than Bitter Sweet, who has shown little sign of encouragement in recent starts on the flat. Apadi is 11lbs higher than when scoring here in June and struggled off his new mark behind stablemate Ei Ei at Cartmel last time, while Moon Colony faces a stiffer task of mark some 10lbs higher than when scoring in the mud at Uttoxeter when last seen and may prefer a softer surface. In a race that should not take a great deal of winning, Red Sun has more solid claims than most and gets the vote.