Pace Angles + Draw Angles

This looks like an even-to-strong gallop scenario. Play Pretend, Bannister, and Zuul are likely pace pressers, while Game Beaaa can be handy. Lord Warburton, Jo’s Rainbow, and Sixty Plus are confirmed hold-up types. Over this trip at Market Rasen, prominent racers historically fare best when the ground rides on the good side.

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Strongest Contenders + Main Dangers + Interesting Outsiders

• Sixty Plus – Proven, progressive (Score: 8/10):
  Turned a corner since switched to handicaps in a visor, winning twice with authority. Latest win came easily under a penalty, and he’s now reassessed to a mark of 103. The ease of both wins suggests he’s still ahead of the handicapper if replicating that form. Prominent tactics and rider booking are pluses. However, he’s shown a tendency to jump right – a potential issue going left-handed again here.
• Game Beaaa – Proven, possible upside (Score: 8/10):
  Clearly thrives at Market Rasen (2-2 here this summer) and looked transformed since wind surgery. Has tactical pace, handles the course, and stamina is assured. 13lb rise for the wins is steep, but her easy latest win suggests she’s not done improving. Small risk she’s reached her ceiling, but track affinity makes her dangerous again.
• Bannister – Proven, solid handicapper (Score: 7/10):
  Comes alive at this venue and is consistently effective in these races. Recent efforts have seen him finish on the premises, but he does need things to fall right. He’s now on a winning mark again and will enjoy a likely strong pace to chase, but he’s dependent on that collapse. Doesn’t find much off the bridle.
• Matoury – Promising profile (Score: 7/10):
  Still lightly raced over hurdles and shaped well on recent starts. Won here in June and had excuses last time (travelled too well, tired late). Looks to need a well-run race and may improve for a drop back in trip. Racing style and freshness angle are both positives.
• Play Pretend – Progressive 4-y-o (Score: 7/10):
  Gutsy win in small field last time after mid-race errors. 4-y-o taking on older horses here, but some solid form this summer and stamina is a strength. Strong-finishing type but will need the race to set up perfectly.
• Zuul – Interesting outsider (Score: 6/10):
  Runner-up and third over C&D this summer. Strong-travelling type who needs to be delivered late, and not one to trust fully, but mark is workable. May have a squeak if things fall into place.
• Tankardstown Diva – Watch closely (Score: 6/10):
  Irish raider with patchy form but ran well last time in a modest race. Chasing background could have sharpened her up. Hard to weigh up, but stamina assured and trainer might be targeting this.
• Lord Warburton – Course winner (Score: 5/10):
  Not the easiest to catch right but won here last year and has hinted at a return to form. Not dismissed off this mark.
• Others:
  • Bennettshill (4/10) – Needs further and not shown much.
  • Jo’s Rainbow (4/10) – Lacks finish and jumping is an issue.
  • No Guarantee (4/10) – Bits of form, but hard to trust.
  • Platenium (3/10) – Weak finishes and not progressing.

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Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis

• Sixty Plus: 8/10 – Stays, in form, still progressive. May not love the track direction.
• Game Beaaa: 8/10 – Loves the track, thriving post-wind op.
• Bannister: 7/10 – Very track-suited and well handicapped.
• Matoury: 7/10 – Course form, improving profile, better than bare form.
• Play Pretend: 7/10 – Lightly raced, improving 4-y-o, stamina and attitude key.
• Zuul: 6/10 – Not straightforward, but on a mark he can win from.
• Tankardstown Diva: 6/10 – Trip and track fine, interesting Irish runner.
• Lord Warburton: 5/10 – Capable, but inconsistent.
• Bennettshill: 4/10 – Best watched; future over longer.
• Jo’s Rainbow: 4/10 – Needs to jump better and finish stronger.
• No Guarantee: 4/10 – Some minor promise but lacks punch.
• Platenium: 3/10 – Struggling to get competitive.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form hurdlers returning quickly; they can be hot.

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Each-Way Angles (12 runners)

• Matoury and Zuul are worth considering each-way. Both are C&D players with scope off their marks and could pick up pieces late in a strongly run affair.

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Private Tissue Estimate

• Sixty Plus – 5/2
• Game Beaaa – 4/1
• Play Pretend – 6/1
• Bannister – 13/2
• Matoury – 13/2
• Zuul – 10/1
• Tankardstown Diva – 12/1
• Lord Warburton – 14/1
• Jo’s Rainbow – 16/1
• Bennettshill – 20/1
• No Guarantee – 25/1
• Platenium – 33/1

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.

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Summary + Professional Punter View

A competitive handicap with strong track clues. Sixty Plus and Game Beaaa arrive with the best recent form and are clearly thriving. Matoury is the interesting improver at bigger odds, while Play Pretend could be underestimated despite winning last time.

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Smart Play

Win Selection: Sixty Plus – still ahead of the handicapper and has won with authority.
Each-Way Saver: Matoury – track-suited improver who’s been better than recent bare results.