Big Day For Walford

No it's not an Eastenders storyline, thankfully - the Walford in question is Mark, son of Tim who has been training in Sheriff Hutton since the late '70s, originally with pointers, but more recently under a full licence. Walford senior has just handed over the reins to his son who joins brother Robert in the training ranks, and the timing looks significant. While the necessary courses need to be completed for any new trainer to get his cards, the fact that Mark should send out his first runners today looks a premeditated action, and he kicks off with a pair who look to hold excellent chances on paper.

First up is Lilly's Legend, who has shown ability in a couple of bumpers to date, and makes her hurdling debut in a decidedly weak-looking mares' maiden. Rising Teal heads the market despite being soundly beaten on testing ground last time, while Be My Present, the pick on bumper form has been sold cheaply since a low-key debut over hurdles for Charlie Longsdon. Given Longsdon has enjoyed great success with her half-sister Be My Light, the decision to get rid can only be viewed as a negative. The others all look pretty limited, and the fact that the promising Lilly's Legend is in receipt of ten pounds from her market rivals swings the pendulum very much in her favour.

Shimla Dawn looks capable of making it a double for the rookie handler in the 14:20, and he stands out on form back in novice company having progressed in handicaps of late. An impressive winner over track and trip in December, the son of Indian Danehill improved again when second to the experienced Embsay Crag at Wetherby last time. A repeat of that effort will make him very hard to beat, and he should have enough up his sleeve to hold off potential improvers Maxed Out King and Panama Petrus. Owen Na View is another who may well do better, and it's intriguing that he's been declared to run in graded company at Cheltenham ten days ago. A non-runner due to the testing ground there, he has underfoot conditions against him again, but is one for the notebook if ever the rain lets up.

The following handicap has been badly affected by non runners, but still looks interesting. Too Generous ran badly after a long absence last time, and looks one to have reservations about, and while that appears to make Grate Fella a solid favourite, there may be some value to be had backing Venceremos after a break. The Generous mare is bred to make a staying jumper, being out of the Midlands National winner Miss Orchestra (also dam of RSA runner-up Battlecry), and she clearly wasn't herself when well held on her handicap debut at Ascot in November. She often runs well after a break, with both wins to date having come after an absence of at least 2 months. Whether she's well treated is something of a moot point, but her bumper form suggests she should be capable of much better than she's shown so far over timber, and the expected test of stamina should bring out the best in her today.

Recommendations:

All at Market Rasen

Back Lilly's Legend @ [4.0] in the 13:50 (NAP)

Back Shimla Dawn @ [2.20] in the 14:20 (Double)

Back Venceremos @ [9.4] in the 14:50 (NB)