Market Rasen

Market Rasen is a small market town in Lincolnshire.

There isn’t too much to say about Market Rasen really but having been there now, I would have to say it’s a nice little town and seemed to me to be very friendly.

It’s not difficult to get to and sits close to the A46. Grimsby and historic Lincoln are close by. This general area is very pretty.

Market Rasen Racecourse

Market Rasen Racecourse stages only National Hunt Racing on turf.

Market Rasen is a right-handed oval, circuit of one mile and 2 furlongs sharp and somewhat undulating though the undulations are quite minor. The course generally favours speedy types.

Clerk of the course: Jack Pryor

Course telephone number: 01673 843434

Full address: Market Rasen Racecourse Ltd, Legsby Road, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 3EA

Getting Here

Market Rasen is 158 miles from Central London, 112 miles from Birmingham, 218 miles from Cardiff, 112 miles from Manchester and 276 miles from Edinburgh.

The racecourse is to the east of town on A631 (Market Rasen/Louth Road).

http://marketrasen.thejockeyclub.co.uk/plan-your-race-day/visitor-information/directions-parking

The course post code is LN8 3EA.

Course parking is free.

The nearest railway station is Market Rasen Station which is roughly one mile away.

Racecourse facilities

Course website: http://marketrasen.thejockeyclub.co.uk/

Disabled access: http://marketrasen.thejockeyclub.co.uk/plan-your-race-day/visitor-information/venue-accessibility

There are two enclosures at Market Rasen, The County Enclosure and Tattersalls. Today, they were combined as one as happens at a few racecourses now on minor race days. The course request ‘Smart Casual’ attire in The County Enclosure.

The view of the course is really good, even if not up in the stand. Although the course undulates, it’s not so bad as to distort the view.

The view is very pretty too.

The course advertise one restaurant on the website, The Brocklesby Suite Restaurant. In general, I was impressed by what was available in terms of bars and places to eat. It was all very clean and well kept and the staff were just lovely.

My Day

This was my first visit to Market Rasen and despite the amount of driving involved, it was well worth it. For starters, three bets yielded three winners which is excellent. But not just that but because this is a very pretty racecourse and very friendly and I really enjoyed being here. I will definitely come here again.

So, three winners from three bets and very nice too.

The opening race was a Novice Hurdle over and extended two and one quarter miles. The well backed favourite was the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Earlofthecotswolds (11/8) with the Neil Mullholland trained Dandolo Du Gite as second favourite (7/4). My selection (helped in no small way by my pal @genuinetriers) was the Olly Murphy trained Seemingly So was making his racecourse debut and was sent off at 4/1. Although on breeding, his future is almost certainly over further, there was every chance of a decent showing against this field and so it proved to be. He chased the leaders and began his challenge at the second last, taking it up before the last and ran on to score by a length and a half. My guess is that he will improve over further and is worth following. The second placed horse Earlofthecotswolds didn’t jump well at all and is probably better than that.

I backed Seemingly So last night on Betfair at around 85/40 so didn’t get 4/1 which I would have done if betting with the mainstream bookmakers to give guaranteed prices. Normally I do so if the prices are close which this time they weren’t. However, as he drifted, I was able to have a decent bet on betfair on him finishing in the first 4. So swings and roundabouts really.

The credit for my second selection and winner must go entirely to my pal @genuinetriers as aside from his advice I wouldn’t have bet in the race. As it was, I had an each way bet on Aaron Lad and got 7/1 about the win part. He was sent off at 3/1 second favourite and aside from a sketchy jump at the last, I was always very confident of a first four finish at the very least. In the end, he won by a length and a half.

I watched one more race and then decided to start the long journey home. As it was, it took me four fours. I did have another one to run in my absence which I had backed last night.

The last race was a Class 5 Handicap Hurdle for Lady Riders. My selection was the Donald McCain trained Derrynane who was having his first race since April. That didn’t concern me too much as his only other victory had also come after a break, albeit shorter. He was also just starting to slip down the weights a little, even if only three pounds and in a race that didn’t look that strong to me. I don’t religiously follow speed ratings but do refer to them and he was highest on both RPR and Topspeed in the racing post. So when I got home and looked at the results, I found I’d had a third winner (at 4/1) and a very profitable day indeed.

So if I am awake enough, I will make the drive to Ascot tomorrow.