'It makes sense to go again' - can Raasel complete a five-timer?

Wednesday: 3.10 Nottingham
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If this were run on paper there would be only one winner, Raasel. He is due to race off a BHA mark of 94 in future, but is able to compete off just 86 here under a 5lb penalty for last week's course win.

His last three wins on the spin have all come over course and distance and he is now bidding for a five-timer. He looks bombproof, but when it looks too good to be true, it often turns out that way, and Raasel has had four quick runs.

His winning streak started after a long break since March, so he may still be fresh enough to do himself justice, but he only got going at the end of September and it's early November now.

It will be interesting to see whether Raasel wins this as easily as it looks on paper.

Raasel ended a three-run winning streak for Dark Shot when the pair met over course and distance last week. Dark Shot was beaten nearly three lengths, but has a 7lb pull in the weights and that was his second run in as many days. Maybe he can improve.

Caroline Dale bids to break a losing sequence and she is on her way down the weights, despite having run well on several recent starts.

Her last two runs have come on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, but she is effective on soft turf and proved that when a close second at Windsor in July. Maybe a place is the best she can hope for.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Grant Tuer, trainer of Illusionist
He needs everything to drop right for him as he prefers to come from off a decent pace as he did when winning at York. Raasel looks progressive and looks the one to beat and, as he also comes late, it will be interesting to see how it pans out.

Chris Dixon, member of The Horse Watchers, owners of Raasel
He’s absolutely thriving and came out of last week well. He was impressive there and we’re well in under a penalty, so it makes sense to go again. He has loads of speed, so the ground being a bit softer might not be ideal, but he has won on it and if he’s in the same form as last week he’ll be hard to beat. Whatever happens here he’ll probably have a break and be aimed at some nice five-furlong handicaps next season.

Bryan Smart, trainer of Wrenthorpe and Sir Titus
If Wrenthorpe returns to the form of his second to Raasel he would have a chance, and the ground was not in his favour against him last time when it was just on the slow side of good. He wants it bottomless, so hopefully it keeps raining. Sir Titus was running off a break when down the field at Pontefract last time and I’d expect him to step up on that as he’s in great shape at home.

Michael Scudamore, trainer of Rolfe Rembrandt
He travelled very well until the five-furlong pole at Newbury last time but he didn’t get home in what was quite testing ground. He ran very well at Salisbury prior to that and we are hopeful of a big run.

Karl Burke, trainer of Rayong
He’s by Mayson, whose progeny usually act on soft ground, but most of the jockeys who have ridden him say he’s not in love with it. Anyway, it’s his last chance to run on the turf this year, so we’re giving it a go and I expect him to run better than he did at Pontefract last time when he got too far back early on.
Reporting by David Milnes

Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday.