15:45 Market Rasen

Friday 17 January 2025

All11:4512:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Read Nicky Henderson's Weekly Unibet Blog Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 6m 31.9s

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Selected odds by:

Magical Escape^p⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 119| BF| D

4/1

Resumed after a wind op with a promising second of 5 in handicap chase (9/4) at Exeter (24.2f, good) on his debut over fences in October. However, he took a backward step at Chepstow later that month and has been absent since.

Form: 841-125

Knockanore^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 118| BF

11/2

Fairly useful winning hurdler who returned to the pick of his form in that sphere when opening chase account in good style at Uttoxeter (2½m, heavy) in December. Wasn't in the same form over the same C&D 11 days later, though, and he'll need to be slicker in the jumping department here.

Form: 4-56213

Jeffery's Cross³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 117

12/1

Took his form up a notch when gaining a first win over fences in 14-runner handicap at Haydock in April 2023. Shaped as though all his ability remains intact when third back from 19 months off at Windsor (24.2f, good to soft) and he's of strong interest here with that run under his belt.

Form: 2221/2-3

Peejaybee²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 116| C| D

11/2

Successful 3 times over hurdles and notched second win in this sphere when accounting for 6 rivals at Perth (2½m, soft) in September. Held form well since (still bang there when making a mistake 3 out at Leicester last time) and he's a plausible each-way candidate.

Form: 6-41324

Gold Link³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Rex Dingle| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 113

25/1

Successful twice in 2023 but now finds himself with a fair bit to prove having struggled all 3 starts since returning from a break October.

Form: 13P-6P6

Just Loose Change^p1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 112| D

33/1

Twice a winner over hurdles and much improved in this sphere when rallying for success in novices' handicap at Huntingdon (23.6f, good) in November. However, he has proved disappointing both starts since, particularly when pulled up at Hereford last time. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 4-U412P

Rock Danse²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 110

18/1

Point scorer who struck at the third time of asking over hurdles in a Hexham maiden in December 2023. No real impact in 4 subsequent starts but he should at least come on for his reappearance/chase debut spin at Ffos Las where he was returning from a 10-month absence.

Form: 2146F-5

Eyed^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 109| C

15/8

Fair hurdler/chaser for Paul Webber and confirmed stable debut promise when off the mark in this sphere over 21.4f at this course on his penultimate start. Got no further than the first fence at Lingfield since but will be a danger to all granted a clear round here.

Form: 24-421F

Chosen Templar³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 108| D

33/1

Bumper winner in Ireland and made a successful hurdling/stable debut in 6-runner novice hurdle at Musselburgh (23.8f, soft) last January. Showed aptitude for chasing on debut in this sphere at Ludlow and improvement could be forthcoming.

Form: 511P3-5

Giovanni Change²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 105| C

9/1

Four-time hurdles winner who posted his best effort for a while when third in a 9-runner handicap here (27.6f, good to soft) last month. It was still some way short of his best form, though, and others make more appeal from a win standpoint.

Form: 3PP853

Non-Runners

Geryville⁴¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: Micky Hammond J: B S Hughes

Awaythelad²⁰

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: B Pauling J: Charlie Deutsch

Forecasts

Eyed (15/8), Magical Escape (4/1), Peejaybee (11/2), Knockanore (11/2), Awaythelad (8/1), Giovanni Change (9/1), Jeffery's Cross (12/1), Geryville (14/1), Rock Danse (18/1), Gold Link (25/1), Just Loose Change (33/1), Chosen Templar (33/1)

Save for his early exit last time, EYED has made a very positive start for this yard and a 9 lb rise for his breakthrough success over fences here in November may not be enough to stop him. Jeffery's Cross put in a decent shift back from a lengthy absence at Windsor and he is greatly respected, while Geryville and Awaythelad have both edged down to attractive marks and will be dangerous if on-song.