Market Rasen and Southwell

There is quite a decent field for the 4yo hurdle at 14.30 CET at Market Rasen, but Blue Nymph (John Quinn/ Dougie Costello) scored in such good style at Doncaster last time that it will take a smart one to beat him. The novice hurdle half an hour later looks much more open. Nicky Henderson runs two here, Ranjobaie (David Bass) and Proud Presence (Tony McCoy) and anything from this yard must be respected, but Bygones of Bird (Karen McClintock/ Timmy Murphy) is the form choice here, while Teenage Kicks (Pam Sly/ Warren Marston) is a very interesting debutant.

The handicap chase at 16.30 is another open affair. Top-weight Carrickmines (Dr. Newland/ Tom Weston) is very consistent and should be at least placed, while Donald Will Do (Caroline Bailey/ Andrew Thornton) is also in good form, but very rarely wins. Perhaps McCoy can take this on Mocho from the in-form Ian Williams stable.
Southwell, which staged a jumping card yesterday, now reverts to all-weather racing with a modest programme. The best race is the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.50, which can go to Harlech Castle (Jim Boyle/ Steven Craine). He has won his last two races, both over this CD, and can complete a hat-trick; on both occasions he finished in front of Onceupontime (Michael Squance/ Luke Morris), who has won since and thus meets him on worse terms now. Barry Hills has few runners here, but he saddles top-weight Billie Jean in the 3yo handicap over 5 furlongs at 15.30 with son Michael on the saddle; they have Turf Time (Jeremy Glover/ Chris Catlin) to beat. Otherwise it could pay to follow Mark Johnston, whose current strike rate is amazing. He has two runners here: Loveinthesand in the maiden at 16.20 and Always Dixie an hour later in the mile handicap for 3yo´s, both ridden by Joe Fanning. They are clearly not the brightest stars in this huge yard but could still be able to defeat today´s modest opposition.