Take Montbazon At Rasen

Good evening/morning to you all, firstly I must apologise for the poor blog title this week but I struggled big time, however I trust we have recovered from last week's deluge of racing and are ready for a more relaxed weekend. We were pretty unlucky last week on the blog with Nabucco and Intrinsic not running on account of the ground, but Slade Power did the business for us once more. Brockwell once again promised so much but didn't deliver and is becoming a frustrating horse to follow, but we march onto this week.

Newbury hold the main meeting of the day with the two year old Super Sprint and also the return of Al Kazeem after his failed stud duties. Today also marks one of the big days of Summer Jumping with the Market Rasen Summer Plate and Summer Hurdle, both of which look good renewals.

As always we have a preview video prepared for you guys as we discuss the Channel 4 racing today. Joining me on the panel today are @Calummadell and @Adamwebb121 after a successful video last week. We hope you enjoy the video that you can watch via the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpvVv0LWlRA&feature=youtu.be

Now onto the all important selections!

1:30 Newbury - Automated

Clive Brittain allows Automated to step back in to Maiden company after finding Group company a bit too hot, but he didn't disgrace himself despite not handling the step up in trip last time out. The son of Authorized brings the best form to the table when running Eagle Top to half a length which has since been boosted in a big way. He was able to nearly make all that day which is something he hasn't experienced since, after being taken on and beaten in a match for the lead at both Sandown and Chester. With a soft lead this afternoon he can once again show his strong front running attributes and finally lose his Maiden tag. (8/1)

2:20 Market Rasen - Clerk's Choice

You don't have to venture too far back to find Clerk's Choice contesting the Champion Hurdle with a realistic chance, but things haven't gone his way since then. However during the past year he has been running himself back into form on the all weather including a commendable effort at Cheltenham in the Coral Cup. Trevor Whelan is a jockey on the rise and his three pound claim means he doesn't have to carry round such a big weight, however he must still concede weight all round. One last point is that he visits Market Rasen for the first time today but there is no reason to suggest he won't handle the tight track. Clerk's Choice to get his career back on track this afternoon. (14/1)

2:55 Market Rasen - Montbazon

A second visit to Market Rasen this afternoon with Montbazon who like our previous selection has also been in action on the all weather at Kempton. It would appear that this race has long been the plan and Aidan Coleman is no bad replacement for the sidelined Wayne Hutchinson and Robert Thornton. His exploits during the National Hunt season mean he must carry a welter burden of 11 stone and 12 pounds which won't be easy, but a third in the County Hurdle and a fourth in the Supreme Novices is by far the best form on offer. With recent All Weather efforts behind him, Montbazon can take all the beating this afternoon in a weaker race than he is used to. (10/1)

5:15 Market Rasen - Lemon Drop Red

Paul Webber's representative is unlucky to still be a maiden over fences after falling last time out at the final fence when leading and in with a big chance. Before that he had unseated on his chase debut at Kempton at the second last fence when still going strongly and looking a likely winner. That isn't the end of his bad luck as he was all but bought down by a loose horse here at Market Rasen last year when having the race at his mercy, that was at the third last fence... Are you sensing a theme here? I won't jinx it by saying he will depart at the fourth last today but on the whole he is usually a good jumper which may be hard to believe. He faces a big rise in the weights despite not finishing last time but should be more than good enough to win off this mark with Denis O'Regan on board. (9/2)

NAP - Automated
Nb - Lemon Drop Red

Good luck today guys and as always, happy punting!