Market Rasen Saturday

2.05 Unibet Moneyback As Cash Races Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f1 39y

Flying Fortune is the one of most interest in this handicap hurdle, especially with the Peter Bowen stable in good heart currently. Out of that smashing mare Turbo Linn, who won the Lancashire Oaks after starting out in bumpers for the late Alan Swinbank, Flying Fortune proved useful in bumpers but her progress over hurdles has been a little hit and miss, in keeping with her stable’s patchy form last jumps season. She returned from a break to produce her best effort to date over hurdles last time, however, chasing home Gale Mahler at Uttoxeter, and impressed with how strongly she travelled on that occasion.

Most of Flying Fortune’s efforts over hurdles have come on testing ground, but her dam improved markedly when switched to fast turf when racing on the flat and I believe that Flying Fortune will also improve for a sound surface, having landed a Haydock bumper on ground adjudged good to firm by Timeform. She’s also by Soldier Of Fortune, whose best progeny have been suited by good ground.

2.40 Unibet Daily Industry Best Prices Summer Handicap Hurdle 2m 125y

There are two of interest at either end of the handicap here, with Black Poppy certainly worth a mention having taken on Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton when last seen. That form isn’t easy to nail down, but he was a progressive sort when hurdling in 2022/23, ending his campaign with a win in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock on quick ground. Black Poppy ran with great credit on his seasonal return last term, finding only a rampant and race-fit Our Champ too strong at Cheltenham in October. Just 1lb higher now despite finishing within 13 lengths of Constitution Hill at Kempton, he has his conditions and can clearly go well fresh, with the only concern being his weight given he’s not the biggest to be conceding lumps.

At the foot of the weights, Manuelito looks to have been laid out for this, his win at Ffos Las in May getting him high enough in the ratings for this and a subsequent run on the flat at Carlisle confirming his wellbeing. Manuelito has speed in spades and will be suited by sitting off a fast pace, and although it’s never wise to get too far behind at Market Rasen given the sharp nature of the track, he appeals as the sort to progress further now everything’s clicked for him, and David Pipe has had several recent winners to advertise the health of the yard.

3.15 Unibet Summer Plate Handicap Chase 2m 5f 89y

I make no apologies for rowing in with veteran Francky Du Berlais here, the 11-year-old having got back to form in cheekpieces on his last two starts and now 9lb lower than when winning this race for a second time in 2022. He was a little disappointing under a big weight last season, but he travelled into the race well enough before finding little for pressure, and it’s worth reiterating that the Bowen stable, which has won this contest eight times, wasn’t firing on all cylinders last term.

Francky Du Berlais is a sound jumper with an excellent record at around this trip on sound surface, and it’s encouraging that he’s refound form on his last two starts. He ran into a well-handicapped rival in the shape of Charlie Uberalles at Cartmel last time and the assessor has eased him another 1lb since that creditable effort. He may not be quite the force of old, but he gets in here off a tempting weight based on past performances in the race, and this reliable veteran should reward each-way support.

Newbury Saturday

2.25 Mettal UK Handicap

2m 110y

Shagpyle is not a confident selection in a trappy handicap, but she is only 1lb higher than when grinding out victory on her first attempt at this trip at Ffos Las on her latest start. In truth, she seemed to need every yard of the trip to get up from Zoran and Cubana Habana in West Wales, and she could do better still granted a more severe test at the trip. This does represent a step up in class, but the half-sister to Pyledriver is bred to be useful and she is sure to have more to offer after just seven lifetime starts.

Tyler Heard is excellent value for his 3lb claim and Shagpyle is effectively 2lb lower than her last winning mark when taking his claim into account. Heard is in rare form in recent weeks, with five winners in July coming at SPs of 11/8, 7/2, 22/1, 25/1 and 50/1.

3.00 Fidelity Energy Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) 6f

Elite Status is a horse I hold in high regard but he was hard to keep 100% sound last year with sesamoid problems blamed for a couple of disappointing efforts, and he was taken out of the Commonwealth Cup after reportedly knocking a joint. If fully recovered from that, he will take the world of beating, but it must be a concern.

Quinault is an alternative at a big price and while he didn’t fire fully in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee at Royal Ascot, a slow start meant he couldn’t dominate and previous runs this season suggested he was building up to something. Since Ascot, the Stuart Williams stable has hit form, so I’m happy to ignore that run and back the four-year-old based on previous promise, bearing in mind he was beating the likes of Mill Stream and Washington Heights this time last year, albeit in handicaps.

The form of the races he ran in last summer has worked out remarkably well, as underlined by Mill Stream’s July Cup win last week, and he has been brought along slowly this year with connections convinced he’s better than a handicapper.

3:35 Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes 5f 34y

It Ain’t Two stands out on form in the Super Sprint and Hugo Palmer’s filly is receiving 9lb from rival Vingegaard, making her look an obvious selection. The only concern is that she may end up drawn on the wrong side of the track.

With both Vingegaard and the promising Time For Sandals drawn on the far side of the course, which has proved advantageous in the past. Last year’s winner Relief Rally was drawn very high, however, and I doubt whether a draw in stall 15 will be an insurmountable problem for a filly of her class and experience. 3/1 looks very fair on balance.

Recommended:

Flying Fortune 2.05 Market Rasen: 2pts win 5/1 (Hills, 9/2 Bet365)

Manuelito 2.40 Market Rasen: 1pt e/w 15/2 (Hills, 13/2 Bet365 – 5 places)

Francky Du Berlais 3.15 Market Rasen: 1pt e/w 10/1 (general – 5 places)

Quinault 3.00 Newbury: 1pt e/w 33/1 (general)