Market Rasen - Mar 27

A card lacking any kind of pizzazz, largely low grade betting shop fodder, with the ground drying out to good all over. As such it was surprising they didn't seem to go very quick and certainly one if not two races were lost by lazy fractions.

They didn't go very fast in the opener with Tom Scu reluctant to press on aboard Yaa Salaam, who had made a pleasing debut for connections at Ffos Las.

Fancied to put it up to the more experienced Benny's Bridge, the strong looking chestnut was always vulnerable to the favourite's turn of foot if lacking an enterprising ride and was swallowed up after the last by the 129-rated winner.

The second looked a slightly more straight forward equation with the stamina-endowed Bubbles Of Gold expected to stretch the credentials of the hitherto disappointing Lady Camelot with the aid of first time cheek-pieces.

However, R Johnson did not feel the need to exert any pressure on the younger horse's suspect staying power and the trio were all in with a shout turning for home.

Perhaps the favourite just couldn't go any faster, although having been joined he did seem to do just that and would probably have got back up given another 100 yards.

Every inch a staying chaser, Bubbles Of War hasn't been seen to best effect this season but should do much better in time, while the third placed Imperial Elixir hadn't shown a great deal thus far and his proximity owes more to the pace of the race than much improvement on his part.

The first handicap chase of the day had a 110 ceiling but it was the 111-rated top weight Nikki Steel who just outstayed them in a desperate finish, Quantum Of Solace not for the first time failing to get it done having had every chance.

The winner looked very edgy beforehand and not a straight forward conveyance, yet the excellent STD coaxed him into the race and probably always felt he had them covered.

Dallas Cowboy was heavily backed again and almost got there despite a dreadful early error, he simply isn't one to trust, a label also applying to Royal Act, who traded short prior to a ghastly mistake with just over a lap to go, and going to pieces thereafter.

The second handicap chase was slightly higher quality, but only slightly and in line with the previous contest very few wanted to win, the enormously frustrating Iskabeg Lane finding himself in the right place at the right time for once.

I doubt if Star Foot properly stays this 2m6f trip, while the eventual third Second Time Around, who looked well, had the length of the straight to go past three going nowhere and has already been given too many chances.

Balibour put in a sketchy round of jumping and doesn't look to have a great attitude, yet was still in there pitching at the last, while Earlshill jumped appallingly and was still only 14 lengths back at the line. I think you get the picture.

A class 3 handicap hurdle enlivened proceedings and the cash came for Ballyhome, who was up another 3lb on the back of some solid form, and he looked stronger than earlier in the campaign and deservedly got the job done off another steady gallop.

E Austin had the race to himself on the front end and with Faithful Mount jumping better than normal, had every chance to capitalise on the opportunity, but didn't kick when he had the chance early in the straight and was outpaced from the second last.

Markov ran a fair race but he wants plenty more cover than he got here and delivering late off a quicker pace...I'm sure there's a race in him when the cards fall right.

Back On The Lash did not appeal beforehand, not very big and getting quite warm and agitated, he wasn't best placed turning for home but finished well. This wasn't the most informative race, but he should do better in time.

The two handicap hurdles to close the card were dire affairs, Rizzardo the one to take from the staying handicap being a big chasing type for next season, in contrast to stablemate Family Man who looks a rare dud by Gold Well.

Sigurd is proving hard to win with but next time could be the time to catch him as he had a wind op prior to this, while the winner Acertain Circus was well backed and delivered for connections that know their stuff.

Ice Galley went unbacked in the finale but he rallied past some pretty moderate opponents on the run-in but very little can be made of this from a form perspective.