Friday, July 21, 2017

Market Rasen Summer Plate 2017

In the hiatus since the Sandown finale at the end of April I've spent some time recently reading Dorothy Paget: The Eccentric Queen of the Sport of Kings by Graham Sharpe and Declan Colley.

Martin Pipe states 'I wasn't able to put it down.'

Now, I'd suggest it would be unwise to take that comment literally but the book is a jolly interesting read; in parts the authors lead the reader towards particular interpretations of behaviours and events but the research is comprehensive and the bibliography an added bonus.

In the midst of the summer months Market Rasen's Summer Plate acts as a reminder of what we've been missing and also of what we can look forward to in the autumn. Sixteen face the starter for tomorrow's renewal; the going is currently described as good.

Dan Skelton and Jonjo O'Neill have trained recent winners while Peter Bowen has targeted this race for a number of years.

This year the handicap has a lop-sided look to it with Henryville, Days Of Heaven and Alcala set to carry 11-12, 11-11 and 11-7 respectively while the remainder of the field will carry 10-13 or less. No horse has carried 11-7 or more to victory in the past ten years.

On revised terms there appears little to choose between Henryville and Days Of Heaven after the latter beat the former in the Clarke Chase at Uttoxeter eight weeks ago but that fact is certainly not reflected in bookmakers' prices.

Henryville looked unlucky to be brought down at the final flight in last year's renewal but tomorrow he starts off a mark eight pounds higher and Casino Markets is weighted to reverse the placings of April's Cheltenham Silver Trophy Chase.

Alcala's three chase wins have come with six runners or less in the field.

Jonjo O'Neill saddles two - 2014 winner It's A Gimme and I'dliketheoption; owner J P McManus also has the Ben Haslam trained Cup Final in the field. Midnight Shot beat Cup Final a nose in a Hexham novice chase last month when ridden by an amateur claiming seven pounds.

Earthmoves won the Summer Plate Trial over course and distance four weeks ago (Viens Chercher fourth) but he looked in a lot of trouble half a mile from home. Peter Bowen is always respected here but he bought this one out of a Ffos Las Selling Chase - I'm not convinced by the profile.

At the start of the week Poker School was an interesting proposition but I'm afraid the value has long since disappeared.

The Dan Skelton trained Shelford catches the eye near the foot of the handicap but he isn't easy to win with and spent most of last winter racing over much further. That said the race is likely to be run to suit.

2015 winner Brave Spartacus is probably past his best at the age of eleven and I'd be surprised if Wadswick Court proved good enough.

The threat of rain at the track cannot be ignored and that puts me off the bigger weights; in a wide open event, I'll chance Midnight Shot (14/1 generally) will be good enough to make a place. Most layers offer a quarter the odds four places; Sky Bet pay five places at a fifth the odds.