Pace Angles & Draw Angles

• Pace Scenario: Expected to be even to strongly run, with potential pace from Donnie Azoff, Olivers Travels, and Halifax, all of whom have shown a tendency to race prominently.
• Draw Angles: Not applicable over hurdles at Market Rasen.

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Strongest Contenders, Main Dangers, Interesting Outsiders & Timeform Trends

Strongest Contenders:

• Ernest Gray – Proven. Returned to hurdling with a strong win at Worcester (RPR 122), now 2-2 on good ground over hurdles. Wind op and cheekpieces have rejuvenated him. Up 4lb, but well treated on old form.
• Donnie Azoff – Proven. Summer form solid; beat Tune In A Box in May and shaped okay in a small-field tactical race since. Ground/trip ideal and should be competitive.
• Belvedere Blast – Proven. Eyecatcher this term on multiple occasions, especially under Robottom. Loves Market Rasen and stays this far; solid mark and form franked. One to keep on side.

Main Dangers:

• Willaston – Proven. Formerly rated 126; small-field Carlisle win in April looks fair form. Track may not be ideal, but still fairly treated if back to best.
• Halifax – Proven. Genuine type who won at Kempton and has continued in form. Drop in class and return to good ground suit.
• Galata Bridge – Proven. Front-runner, better than recent form suggests. Flat-track, summer hurdles his scene, and this is slightly easier than recent Class 2s.

Interesting Outsiders:

• Of Course You Can – Promising. Strong third at Huntingdon, consistent profile, and shapes as if staying trips will suit better. Low mileage.
• Prince De Juilley – Regressive. Showed signs of revival at Doncaster last year. Hard to trust recently, but lurks off a winning mark.
• You Some Girl – Progressive in 2023 but regressive now. Needs to bounce back, may be best with stronger pace and patient ride.

Hold-Up Risk:

• You Some Girl, Of Course You Can, and Galata Bridge are likely to be ridden cold. With pace likely solid, they’ll need luck in running but could pick up pieces.

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Runner Scores & Suitability Analysis

• Ernest Gray: 8/10 – Ideal ground/trip; revived with wind op and cheekpieces. Suits track.
• Donnie Azoff: 8/10 – Solid form, well weighted. Stays well. Suits track.
• Willaston: 7/10 – Best at stiffer tracks but weighted to go close.
• Belvedere Blast: 8/10 – Loves the track, good recent efforts. Well treated.
• Galata Bridge: 7/10 – Ground/trip ideal; drops in grade.
• Halifax: 7/10 – Reliable; probably prefers a touch further.
• Olivers Travels: 6/10 – Better chaser; weighted up to his best.
• Of Course You Can: 6/10 – Lightly raced; unknown at trip but shapes as stayer.
• Prince De Juilley: 5/10 – Regressive; risky but thrown in on old form.
• You Some Girl: 5/10 – Needs pace and luck; holds some appeal at a price.
• El Muchacho: 3/10 – Completely out of form.
• Market Watch Advice: Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
• Hot Sprinters Warning: Watch out for in-form hurdlers returning quickly; they can be hot.

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Each-Way Angles

With 12 runners, each-way options exist:

• Belvedere Blast – Very solid course record, recent eyecatcher, well-handicapped.
• Galata Bridge – Class dropper with front-running ability; fair price likely.
• Of Course You Can – Unexposed over this trip and shaped like a stayer.

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Private Tissue Estimate

• Ernest Gray – 4/1
• Donnie Azoff – 5/1
• Belvedere Blast – 6/1
• Galata Bridge – 13/2
• Willaston – 13/2
• Halifax – 8/1
• Of Course You Can – 10/1
• Olivers Travels – 12/1
• You Some Girl – 14/1
• Prince De Juilley – 16/1
• El Muchacho – 33/1

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.

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Summary & Smart Play

This looks a well-contested summer handicap with an even-to-strong gallop expected. Ernest Gray stands out as a revitalised hurdler after a wind op and headgear, and this track/ground setup is ideal. Belvedere Blast is a strong each-way play at a course he loves. Donnie Azoff remains in form and can also feature prominently.

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Smart Play:

• Win Selection: Ernest Gray – Best hurdles RPR, unexposed in this sphere post-op, track ideal.
• Each-Way Saver: Belvedere Blast – Proven at course, flying home in recent runs, fair mark.