Racecards
14:45 Market Rasen
Sportsman 22 March Conditionals' 'NH' Novices' Hurdle (Div2) (Class 4)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 110y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- Form 35-13
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer G A Harker
- Jockey W T Kennedy
held up in touch, reminders after 7th, ridden after 3 out, led last, ridden out
- Form 8
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B N Pollock
- Jockey T Messenger
chased leader, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace
Willies Way
83- Form 6-887
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey M O'connell
chased leaders, led after 3rd, headed 4th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last, took 2nd towards finish
- Form 991865
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer K J Burke
- Jockey P Merrigan
led and mistakes, headed after 3rd, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened flat
- Form 75
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer P Beaumont
- Jockey P Aspell
held up in rear, mistakes 1st, ridden and weakened 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Custom Design gets the call here ahead of Floral Rhapsody and Wondersobright. Custom Design rates the obvious choice here based on his very good bumper form. If he translates that ability to jumping, he can make a winning hurdling debut. Honest Abe will need to step up on his racecourse debut in order to feature, although the rain-softened going might help in that respect. Willies Way also has to find improvement, but Wondersobright would hold place claims if getting back to the level of form that saw him win a handicap chase at Clonmel in November. He also races in first-time cheekpieces today. Finally, Floral Rhapsody has shown promise in each bumper start and, in what is not a strong event, must also be considered for a place. Overall, though, Custom Design looks a pretty solid option.
Formwatch
Custom Design 5-1 (11-11) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no impression, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Topwell (10-12) at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec.
Honest Abe (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 14, 38l behind Bougoure (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Willies Way 25-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 17, 29l behind Napoleon (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gf in Dec.
Wondersobright (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Led, slight mistake 1st, mistake 3rd, strongly pressed when slight mistake 2 out, soon headed and no extra, last of 5, 13l behind Charging (11-13) at Cork 2m hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Jan.
Floral Rhapsody 12-1 (10-7) With leaders, driven and lost place over 3f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 14, 15l behind Mumbles Head (10-12) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Jan.