The Summer Plate is a seasonal treat for jumps fans at Market Rasen this weekend. A field of 15 will convene at the Lincolnshire venue as Joe Napier previews this year’s renewal.
Favourites
Last year’s winner Sure Touch did not exactly kick on after his success last July. Olly Murphy’s charge ran respectably enough in the Grand Sefton next time out when fifth of 13, but has struggled since, albeit he is now so far back down the handicap that he is 1lb lower than 12 months ago, so can be given a fair shot on that basis after a similar length off the track.
Courtland did not win this race, but he is a course and distance winner. After a long time off the track, his first start for Mickey Bowen after the retirement of father Peter was very promising when staying on strongly and he could well strip fitter here.
A pair of Irish raiders are towards the top of the betting too. Ballysax Hank goes for Gavin Cromwell having won his only good ground chase start so far. A mark of 128 is probably overly inflated based on his achievements to date, but his trainer is extremely adept at getting one ready on these shores, while Ceanndana represents Ross O’Sullivan. The eight-year-old is effectively 9lb wrong at the weights from his Irish mark, but his third at Tipperary over 2m did give hope that this trip would suit better.
Contenders
Another for the Bowen team is Statuario, a game winner over 3m at Perth recently. He is only 2lb higher here, but he shaped as though he would need at least 3m to be at his best that day.
Nicky Henderson won this six years ago and Bhaloo could well prove a likely type for this. His right-handed jumping should not hinder him as it did at Uttoxeter latest and his spring form had been very solid prior, winning at Newbury and finishing third at Cheltenham in April. He had previously promised to be a useful novice chaser and can be involved.
Riskintheground improved in April for Dan Skelton for running on fresher ground. A disappointing effort at Sandown’s jumps finale can be excused given it was his third run in 16 days and a break could have revitalised him, although this will be a career high mark. It may just be that stablemate Doyouknowwhatimean, though not the choice of Harry Skelton, has the greater chance on his first try at this distance on this sort of surface, with the 7lb Harry Atkins takes off of likely benefit.
Outsiders
The Flier Begley is a two-time course and distance winner in terrific form for Gary Hanmer, so could get into contention as could the previously inconsistent Charlie Uberalles, who is chasing a hat-trick.
Shakeyatailfeather and Mr Saxobeat are far enough out the weights that this could prove a struggle and that is primarily down to the entry of the veteran Hang In There. He is on a plausible enough mark if the fire still burns though possibly wants a little bit further nowadays. Both Horantzau d’Airy and Vintage Fizz look high enough in the weights for now, though the former is interesting given his first run was promising for Sara Bradstock.
Verdict
Though 3lb out of the weights, DOYOUKNOWWHATIMEAN is interesting back up in trip, having never run over 2m5½f. However, on a decent surface, he could well take to it and Harry Atkins’ 7lb allowance could prove very useful. Bhaloo is next best for Nicky Henderson, with first-time cheekpieces likely to keep him more focused. Last year’s winner Sure Touch is on a very dangerous mark if fully revived, while top-weight Hang In There cannot be discounted.
- Doyouknowwhatimean
- Bhaloo
- Sure Touch
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