Market Rasen

12.20pm

Haul Away

He obviously didn’t give his running when we last saw him at Uttoxeter in October, but we know he is much better than that – he has had his wind done since – and the handicapper has given him a decent chance on his return to fences. He has been dropped 7lb since his second, albeit only two finished there, at Bangor in August, and that gives him a fighting chance. His best form has been on decent ground, so that would be a worry, but it was soft at Bangor, so hopefully he will handle conditions okay.

2.40pm

On The Bind Side

He has a 4lb penalty and he could ideally have done without the rain this week – and I think we are more due on Saturday – but he comes here in the form of his life. He won first time up at Cheltenham, then ran well when second, trying to give 23lb to an improver, at that course next time, and then he almost certainly carded a career-best when second to McFabulous in the rescheduled Relkeel at Kempton last weekend. Such a quick turnaround is always a concern but if he runs up to the level of that Kempton run then he will go very close here.

3.15pm

Grangee

She is obviously a great ride to pick up. She looks to have been very impressive when winning at Galway – her first run of any description – and it sounds like she is held in some regard by her powerful stable, who won this race last season.  She is clearly up against some similarly promising and unexposed opposition here, of whom Eileendover looks the stand-out going into the race, but there is plenty to be optimistic about.