I thought the win from Rialannah was very impressive, especially as she was a maiden heading into the Fakenham race.
She was far too keen throughout the race, which made me think she wasn't going to win. Gavin Sheehan made up a decent amount of ground before the final couple of bends, then took a wide turn entering the straight before winning easily. Fair play to Lucy Wadham, who has done well with her on her first two starts.
If you backed the antepost bet for the Scottish Grand National that was posted yesterday, the price is already collapsing. King Of Answers was tipped up at 8/1 and is now 5/1.
Catchim 5/2 (1pt) – Market Rasen 3.55
I think this is a weak race, so there is every possibility that Grain Trade could get another course win off a 13lb higher mark than his win from earlier in the season. I think the Billy Aprahamian horse deserves to be the favourite, but I thought Catchim shaped nicely at Southwell last time out.
I had the winner of the Southwell race that Catchim competed in three weeks ago, and he caught my eye, despite finishing in third. He was up with the pace, pestering the winner for a long portion of the race, and he got tired late on. I thought the winner was on a very good handicap mark that day, and the runner-up ran a blinder, so is likely to win a race soon.
That was Catchim's first start in 90 days. Even though that is not a huge layoff, there is every reason to believe that he needed the run. The way he was jumping the last three/four fences, it looked like he was fatigued and had little left in the tank.
With the recent run under his belt and the handicapper dropping him slightly in the handicap, I thought it was the perfect chance for him to capitalise on a weak race. If they intend on getting the lead, it's not going to be easy, but I think racing prominently is the way forward.
James Bowen isn't the main jockey for the yard, but has been one of the top three that Charles & Adam Pogson resort to. His record when riding for this yard is very impressive, and the strike rate of 31% from 26 runs showcases that.
I think the odds of 5/2 are more than fair, and it wouldn't surprise me if he goes off slightly shorter, maybe 15/8.
GambleAware