Market Rasen best bets: Sure Touch in bold bid under Harry Cobden, The Big Lense could surprise

15:15 Market Rasen: Unibet Summer Plate Handicap Chase  (2 miles 5 furlongs 89 yards)

It is no surprise to see that the bookies have installed Boombawn as the early market leader after the seven-year-old converted a successful hurdling career into a winning chasing debut back in April.

Two decent placed finishes have followed, and this return to his longer winning distance should prove an astute move from the red-hot Skelton team.

While the favourite’s short price might not hold much appeal in a race of this nature, there are plenty of capable challengers, spearheaded by the consistent Soul Icon, who has been knocking on the door of a maiden success over fences after three straight runner-up near misses.

Statuario enjoyed back-to-back narrow wins at Perth in May and June, but his mark is now 15 pounds higher than for the first of those successes, which looks likely to scupper his chances of completing a hat-trick.

All of which brings us to our best-value bet in the shape of Sure Touch, who has been making great progress over the last two seasons, with the promise of plenty more to come.

Suggested best bet: Sure Touch each-way in the 15:15 at Market Rasen

After landing four hurdle successes during a productive 2022 campaign, Olly Murphy’s gelding took readily to larger obstacles last term, backing up a third place at this venue last November with a hat-trick of victories at Uttoxeter, Taunton and Perth to round off an impressive campaign.

Another big run looks on the cards from the capable eight-year-old, and although his mark is also on a significant upward trajectory, the booking of last season’s Champion Jockey, Harry Cobden, can only boost his chances here.

With five places widely available (as many as six in places), there should be plenty of room in the frame for some each-way value from deeper in the betting.

Al Zaraqaan had won five out of seven over fences before an uncharacteristic blip last time out three weeks ago, while Yccs Portocervo also has to merit consideration after his course-distance win in the trial for this race four weeks ago made it five wins in eight starts.

Catching the collective eye of Tipstrr’s each-way specialists, however, is one of the three 11-year-olds in the 16-runner line-up, The Big Lense.

Alternative each-way punt: The Big Lense each-way in the 15:15 at Market Rasen

Trainer James Owen saddled four straight close-up seconds earlier in the week, and will be hoping for at least a similar outcome from his experienced campaigner here.

After three disappointing efforts early in the year, The Big Lense bounced back with a couple of commendable performances over hurdles at Southwell, missing out by the length of Pozo Emery’s head in May, before landing a tidy one-length success a month later.

He was last seen returning to fences over this course and distance a fortnight ago, when he again gave a good account in coming runner-up to the well-backed favourite, with the third-placed horse a further 31 lengths adrift.

His regular amateur jockey has notably been replaced by Lilly Pinchin, and while this will be his toughest assignment for a while, those minor placings could well be within his reach.

• Tip advised by Opal Horses on Tipstrr

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