Smiles better race from Hales' mount

MARKET Rasen's first meeting of 2010 saw a small crowd turn out on a damp day.

Premier Sagas, the 4-5 favourite, trained by Nicky Richards and riden by Brian Harding, took the opening novices hurdle.

Always handily placed, Harding left it late before asking extra from his mount and making his run.

L'Eldorado, ridden by Tom Messenger finished second. The winner is a soft ground bumper winner who showed positive signs when second last time out over hurdles at Ayr. He looks sure to build on this success.

Another who likes soft going is Laughing Game, who is trained by Alex Hales at Edgecote. There were no laughs when the horse finished next last at Huntingdon when last out in November. Sent off at 17-2 the six year old certainly had his trainer smiling here.

"He stays well and just loves this ground. It has been difficult for trainers recently with the bad weather but he has trained well," said Hales.

Favourite Conington (3-1) was always handily-placed just in behind the leaders for much of the two laps, but could find no extra when required by Giles Hawkins, but ran on for third with the Fearghal Davis trained Calfazn second. Iloveturtle, saddled by Market Rasen trainer Michael Chapman, was available at 200-1 from some bookmakers on the course. The horse was soon tailed off and eventually pulled up.

Top jockey Richard Johnson was on board the 8/15 hot favourite Bluegun in the first chase of the afternoon. A habit of picking up place money continued as he was outpaced by both winner Mirage Dore (9-2) trained by Rose Dobbin and second placed Blue Shark, a 10-1 shot.

On his hurdles form the winner was clearly a strong contender, but had not shown much to impress over the bigger obstacles. Here he was back up in trip and he looks likely to progress over the longer distance.

Toulouse Express made all to win the Get Racing UK Handicap Chase, with 12-1 shot Bobby Gee second. This was an impressive show from the 8-1 winner ridden by Paul Callaghan. Toulouse Express has had a patchy carear to date but won at Sedgefield last time out and had, despite his front-running at a good lick, a bit in reserve to respond when Bobby Gee challenged after the last. The winner was only clear by a neck when the post arrived however.

Favourites did not fare well on the afternoon and another outsider in 12-1 Akarshan won the fifth race, a Handicap Hurdle, impressively. The horse made the long journey from the South Wales stable of Evan Williams worthwhile, seeing off the challenge of the Jonjo O'Neill saddled favourite Mohayer, who finished second.

The final race, another handicap hurdle, was won by 7/2 joint favourite Willandrich trained by Ian Williams. The horse led two out and stayed on well on the flat.

The next meeting at Market Rasen is on Tuesday, February 9.