Reason To Back Ratty At Rasen

Dianne Sayer can be relied upon to get the most out of the horses in her care, and has a knack of keeping horses with quirky temperaments sweet, as evidenced by a couple of recent wins for the less-than-honest Endeavour, who holds outstanding claims in the opening handicap at Market Rasen today. Whether he represents value at current odds is something of a moot point, but Sayer has claims of completing a double on the card with Bunratty in the 15:35.

Bunratty recently made the move from Bob Johnson's yard, and that is intriguing, given he started his career with Sayer's mother, Evelyn Slack. Horseracing has very much been a family affair for Sayer, as she also rode the popular grey What's What to victory for her uncle Bryan Bousfield during her time as an amateur rider.

A big, strong sort, it's taken Bunratty quite a while to grow into his frame, and his modest early form is by no means the limit of his ability, especially as he's often given the impression that 2m over hurdles isn't enough of a test. That looked the case at Sedgefield last time, where he travelled well in front, but failed to match the speed shown by the aforementioned Endeavour before plugging on to finish a creditable third. Likely to be sharper for that first start for the yard, he looks certain to benefit from a step up to 21f today, and is taken to show himself ahead of his mark. Brian Harding is on board, but it's interesting that Lucy Alexander was booked for the yard's Jack Albert in the race, and it would be no great surprise to see a jockey change now that he's a non runner. The selection is tried in a hood today, and while the increasingly popular accountrement is no magic wand, it never seems to have a negative effect, unlike more severe forms of headgear.

Beckhani is an obvious danger, but it's not easy to catch Jonjo O'Neill's runners right, and those looking for a saver may do better with Phil Kirby's Fairynuff, who is better than recent efforts imply, and has fallen to a workable mark.

The 16:30 at Ffos Las has cut up, but still looks a race with a potential betting angle, with 2 horses standing out. Super Villan is the sole pace in the race, and can dictate terms under Nico de Boinville, while If In Doubt is well handicapped based on his defeat of subsequent Sandown winner Viva Steve at Towcester in January. Philip Hobbs' gelding disappointed on his handicap debut at Wincanton, but was clearly unsuited by the stop-start nature of that race over 2m, and was looked after when it was clear his chance had gone. He will be much better suited by the step up to 2¾m here, and can repay the patience of punters. He's short enough in the betting, but as well as a win bit, I'd recommend backing him to beat Super Villan in a straight forecast.

Recommendations:

Back Bunratty @ [8.4] in the 15:35 Market Rasen (NAP)

Back If In Doubt @ [2.72] in the 16:30 Ffos Las (NB)

Back 3 to beat 7 (F/C) in the 16:30 Ffos Las