Analysis and trainer quotes for the most interesting race of the day

2.10 Market RasenBetway Handicap Hurdle | 2m7f | 4yo+ | RTV

Race fitness could give Jimmy Rabbitte an advantage over his seven rivals, none of whom have run this season.

However, it’s probably not going to prove quite that simple as Richard Newland’s seven-year-old is not straightforward, a fact connections have acknowledged as they equip him with first-time cheekpieces.

He has been dropped 3lb since disappointing at Worcester last September when sent off favourite.

He shaped as though needing the run when fifth of nine behind Mister Universum on his Uttoxeter return this month, and ought to be fitter now.

For those who aren’t overly convinced by Jimmy Rabbitte’s credentials it might prove best to take a chance on bottomweight Eureu Du Boulay.

The six-year-old won back-to-back handicap chases at Catterick and Sedgefield in December 2018, and also ran well next time out off a mark of 124.

He romped home by 18 lengths in a Fontainebleau hurdle last November but lost his form in three subsequent British starts.

As a result, his mark has dropped to 113, and it would be no surprise if Richard Hobson exploits that at some stage this season.

It might prove wide of the mark to presume he needs testing ground to show his best. After all, he boasts two fine efforts off ratings of 124 and 126 at Catterick and Leicester respectively on good terrain.

A back-to-his-best Eureu Du Boulay would hold excellent claims off his current mark, and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of his chance.

What they say

Dominic Ffrench Davis, trainer of Whatthebutlersaw
I don't want the ground to get any slower as he likes genuinely good ground and doesn't want it loose. Joe Anderson, who is allowed to ride for the first time this season being a conditional, is taking 7lb off him and they schooled well this morning.

Ben Haslam, trainer of Demi Sang
His last run over hurdles was encouraging and he has gone well fresh in the past. This is probably going a fraction further than I would like but it is a sharp track and I hope he can get away with the trip and run well.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Putting Green
He won around Perth a couple of times last summer and Market Rasen is right-handed as well so we hope it will suit as should the ground. My jumpers were out at grass in April and a bit of May and have just been needing their first run.

Richard Hobson, trainer of Eureu Du Boulay
He wasn't the same horse after struggling in soft, tacky ground under a big weight in the Silver Fox at Leicester. He's had a break and freshened up and he will be thereabouts if he stays the trip. He will have another French campaign with a big chase at Fontainebleau the aim, so we are protecting his chase mark by running him over hurdles.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Craigmor
He is off a mark you would think he would be competitive and has an each-way chance but he will come on for the first run back.

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