Market Rasen 2.15

Market Rasen 2.15 - Lincolnshire National - Handicap Chase - Class 3 - 3 miles 3 1/2 Furlongs - Soft - 14 run
 
A track that suits prominent running style and leaders can get away off the front so something to note in running. The big question is how soft is soft, this has become primarily a summer jumping track, drains well and has a good covering of grass, so we'll assume soft but not too deep or heavy.
 
At the top end of the market we have COOL DESTINATION for Fergal and his merry band, the Yard aren't quite as prolific as they were but still running at 10% win rate, a 3 mile P2P winner, just beat TERRIERMAN last time and Terrirman gets a 3lbs pull for a length. Most of Cool Destinations best form is on better ground and I have a view that the Skelton horse has a bit more scope and may be better at this extended trip and it certainly has "soft" appearing in it's decent runs more than Cool Destination. So of that pair at slightly more generous each way odds I'll tip TERRIERMAN.
 
Cyclop is a Course specialist, has won this race and has won last 2 races over Fences and Hurdles. It runs prominently hence it's good Course record and will be tough to pass and beat. I just have a niggle though that it may be taken on up front by Lord Byron from the Bowen Yard, I always fear their horses here, this one may be better suited to Good Going and a basic 3 miles and I think it will go well for a long way, possibly draw the sting out of Cyclop and the beneficiary will be Terrierman. We'll wait and hope and see.
 
Red Giant for Jennie Candlish has won a Regional National this season (Durham at Sedgefield) but that was off a mark of 118 on Good Going and I think with 7lbs more in softer going could place here but a win would be a tall order. Nakadam on the other end of the scale is an out and out stayer who can hit flat spots and best at 3 mile 6 furlongs to 4 miles, it's not inconceivable that if the did get the fractions wrong up front it could stay on and on and become a factor, but a place at best I think today on this less than resting track in terms of stamina.
 
I was left with three in support of the tip (Terrierman) of Tracker interest. OPTIMISTIC BIAS won a Veteran Chase at Uttoxeter last time so is fit and in form, that was off a mark of 112, it was runner up last season at Warwick off a mark of 117, of most interest to me is that given conditions are ideal and the mark is fine is the fact that after an extended absence it has actually only had 5 runs in 3 seasons, so lightly raced and not as many miles on the clock as you'd imagine. I think that patience can pay off with a big run here.
 
WHOS IN THE BOX is a progressive type with decent 3 mile P2P form. Trainer has a small select string and punches above his weight with a string of that size. It has form on soft, if staying the extra 3 furlongs could be the one in the race with the most upwardly mobile profile. I narrowly prefer it to LITHIC from the O'Neill yard for a small investment, Lithin deserves a prize like this but is getting little respite from the handicapper for a series of OK runs, if any non runners, he'll be the back up option.
 
TIP - TERRIERMAN / Trackers Optimistic Bias + Whos In The Box