One-eared horse meets white-faced opponent at Market Rasen

Two of the most recognisable horses of the early part of this jumps season meet in the 3m handicap chase at Market Rasen (2.35).

The one-eared Ryalex and the almost completely white-faced L’Es Fremantle both caused quite the stir with their victories earlier this month, perhaps owing more to their unique physical characteristics than their performances.

L’Es Fremantle produced a career best performance when staying on gamely to win at Market Rasen last time for trainer Michael Chapman, while Ryalex was an eye-catching winner over 2m4f at Carlisle only nine days ago.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Ryalex, reported the seven-year-old in rude health for this quick re-appearance: "He’s been really good since Carlisle actually. He’s quite enjoying his new found fame and he’s got his newspaper photos all over the wall.

"It’s quite handy that we’re able to run him just under a penalty tomorrow rather than his new handicap mark. There is a slight concern that we are stepping him to three miles tomorrow for the first time and I think he’d be better on softer ground.

"That being said he’s about to be put up 15lb so we’ve got to take our chance now."

Promising hurdlers to clash at Market Rasen

Dandolo Du Gite will attempt to enhance his growing reputation as he looks to follow up his impressive maiden hurdle win at Stratford last month in the novices’ hurdle (12.25) at Market Rasen.

An exciting prospect for trainer Neil Mulholland, the five-year-old won his only bumper start at Fontwell in April and has subsequently justified that excitement with two strong performances in his first two starts over hurdles.

Olly Murphy: the young trainer keeps firing in the winnersCredit: Steve Davies

"He’s a nice horse," Mulholland said on Tuesday. "We’ve been very happy with how he’s been progressing both before and after the Stratford win so we’re looking forward to tomorrow in what looks like a nice race for him."

A noteworthy opponent could come in the form of the Olly Murphy-trained Seemingly So. The five-year-old produced a promising performance on his only Irish point-to-point start in February.

Murphy said: "He cost £100,000 after finishing second in an Irish point-to-point to a horse now trained by Joseph O’Brien.

"He does everything nicely at home and although he may lack a bit of racecourse experience, he should run a nice race all being well and he looks a lovely horse for the future."

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