/ Editor / 10 March 2007 /

Although beaten 40 lengths on his last outing, Witch Wind looks to be the clear form pick in the handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (16:20).

The gelding finished well down the field in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock, but in the context of this race that form reads very well. Previously the seven-year-old had scored well at Kelso in a competitive heat and although he won all out that day, the gelding may still be too strong for this field.

The four-time winner could still be ahead of the handicapper and with conditions to suit it may take a brave trader to oppose him.

Dark Corner is a well-regarded type who was given a Cheltenham entry in the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle. His last three performances merit respect with his run at Hereford standing out in terms of form and time. Expect Tony Evans to have his mount racing prominently on a course that tends to favour front runners.

Pass It On is an interesting contender and his overall level of form gives him every chance here. Strong market support would suggest connections believe he has a good chance and this lightly-raced type should improve for this step up in trip. On the downside, the handicapper seems to have taken few chances with him and he needs to improve on previous form to be a confident choice for any trader.

Like A Bee to sting layers

Like A Bee has produced some promising efforts since arriving from Ireland and can claim his first win of the season in the Crudwell Cup at Warwick (15:40).

Jonjo O'Neill's nine-year-old has proved his effectiveness over extreme distances and his penultimate run at Exeter proved his liking for testing conditions. Although he has never threatened to win a race this season, this looks a suitable opportunity for the gelding to finally get off the mark - with ideal conditions.

Bannister Lane is among three last time out winners in the field and his Uttoxeter win showed he was a tough stayer. The form of that race is questionable because only two runners managed to complete - and a hefty weight rise does not help his chance here. His consistency gives him places chances but might be one worth taking on in the win market.

Cinnamon Line has been rejuvenated of late and comes into this race in the form of his life. Two recent wins mark him out as a leading candidate but the suspicion is that the handicapper may now have his measure and the eleven-year-old is not guaranteed to stay this marathon trip despite his liking for the conditions.

Coursing Run is respected having landed this contest for the past two years. The eleven-year-old has an impressive strike rate over fences (five wins from seventeen outings) but failed to sparkle on his latest outing when heavily traded on Betfair. A horse who likes to race up with the pace, expect his odds to be better pre-race in a contest which lacks pace setters.

Monteforte has never finished out of the first two on all racecourse starts when completing and comes into this race in good form following a win at Leicester in February. The lightly-raced type is possibly not the best handicapped horse in the race and is untried over this trip. For these reasons he may be a popular to lay in both the win and place market.

Cusp stands out at the weights

Cusp put in a career best performance when running away with a similar contest at Plumpton recently and may still be ahead of the handicapper in the handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (16:50).

The seven-year-old has improved on her last three outings and if continuing her progression may be very hard to beat. With conditions to suit and a lack of in-form rivals in the line-up it is unlikely she will be sent off at a price as big as the forecast 11/4.

The main danger looks to be Mick Easterby's Dance The Mambo and the lightly-raced type scored well last time out at Catterick showing her liking for testing conditions.

Up in trip here and up in the weights, she may find it hard to follow up that success and may have to rely on her rivals running below par even to make the frame.

Hot Lips Page can generally be relied upon to run her race and this step back in trip makes her an interesting runner. The six-year-old's effort on her penultimate start marks her out as a leading candidate but may be of more interest in the place market given her overall wins-to-run ratio.

Dalriath returns to hurdling after a spell chasing and could be an interesting candidate if enjoying the return to the smaller obstacles. Fairly consistent, the eight-year-old has some bits of hurdle form from last season to give her every chance in this contest. The feeling is that she is better on faster ground and, for that reason, she may be one to avoid here.

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