March 03 / 16.45 Market Rasen

16.45

Soft

It Pays To Buy Irish Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £6337.2
  • 2m 1f 43y
  • Class 4
  • 5 runners
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It Pays To Buy Irish Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 13-243 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

17:25 Huntingdon

Homme Dun Soir

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Billy Aprahamian

Has three wins over fences but after finishing last of four at Hereford last month, he exploited a lower hurdles mark when successful at Wincanton (1m7f, good) 12 days ago; needs to use that momentum back over the larger obstacles.

9/2

1st

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Homme Dun Soir

12st 2lb

J: Lt Billy Aprahamian

T: Billy Aprahamian

Better known as a chaser now but was third in a better race than this when reverting to hurdles at Warwick (2m, heavy; also suited by good) last month, and subsequent 32l defeat over fences came in a good-quality contest; must be considered.

3/1

4th

4

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 3

14:52 Hereford

Homme Dun Soir

11st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Billy Aprahamian

Seven wins in all, most recently at Market Rasen and Ludlow this time last year; didn't shape too badly over hurdles at Warwick (jumped right) last time, and this return to fences on a right-handed track should suit him; not ruled out.

7/2

Form: P311-6 D

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

13:40 Chepstow

Ballybreeze

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Record of 2-2 over C&D (good) includes a neck success off 1lb higher last April; failed to get home over 2m3f on soft ground here last month on return from a break; respected back down in trip.

7/2

3rd

3

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Ballybreeze

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Samuel Drinkwater

2-2 over fences here, albeit at 2m; has been off another four months since his Cheltenham reappearance in November, while stamina is another question mark.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 31-514

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

17:25 Huntingdon

Rumoursareflying

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Pam Sly

Landed his third success over fences at Ludlow (2m, good) last month after his challenger fell at the last obstacle; up 7lb but still on the upgrade and should not be far away.

11/4

1st

3

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

15:50 Ludlow

Rumoursareflying

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

1-1 here, that win coming over C&D (good; 18-1) in November on his penultimate start; not beaten far when fourth of six at Doncaster (also about 2m, good to soft) the following month and he's another who is firmly in calculations.

3/1

Form: 52-638 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 1lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Grey Diamond

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Dual winner over fences but last success was three years ago; his mark continues to fall but he doesn't look ready to take advantage.

12/1

8th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Grey Diamond

10st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner whose mark continues to fall and he was an encouraging third at Bangor in November following a break; however, this inconsistent 12yo is winless since March 2023 and others arrive with more pressing claims.

25/1

Form: 825514 BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Kelijoe

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Doesn't always settle but his recent hurdles form features a comfortable win at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft); ran creditably at Catterick last time; possibilities, provided he takes well to fences.

7/2

Verdict

The 10yo BALLYBREEZE is in calmer waters than at Cheltenham in November and he’s won after a break in the past. The danger could be chasing debutant Kelijoe who has been progressing well over hurdles. Homme d’Un Soir is not without hope of repeating his victory in this 12 months ago.[Alistair Jones]