BRIGG BLOG'S MARKET RASEN RACES PREVIEW

Trainer Dan Skelton – who has a fantastic record at Market Rasen Racecourse – is eyeing the Lincolnshire track’s valuable prize-money once again this weekend.
Two months ago he sent out Red Tornado to win the Betfred-sponsored Summer Hurdle. Now he’s going for the double with the four-year-old in the Listed 188bet.co.uk Prelude Handicap Hurdle on Saturday.
The horse is targeting a remarkable sixth race victory in a row, an unbeaten streak that stretches back to the spring. To preserve his enviable record, Red Tornado will need to see off the challenge of Cloonacol, last year’s winner of the corresponding race who is among the 14 entries.
Dan Skelton’s brother Harry, who was in the saddle on Red Tornado when victorious in July, is booked to ride again.
The last horse to achieve the Summer Hurdle/Prelude Hurdle double was Local Hero, trained in Lincolnshire by Steve Gollings, in 2012.
Saturday (September 24) is a big day at the racecourse – the most valuable jump racing card in Britain this month. The richest contest is the £50,000 Listed 188Bet Prelude Chase.
There is a greater number of entries – 17 – in the two and three-quarter mile chase, with the highest rated being Junction Fourteen who won on the closing day of the 2015/6 jump racing season at Sandown Park Racecourse and was last seen running in the Galway Plate in Ireland.
Among those entered is Wadswick Court, trained by Peter Bowen, so – should his commitments to champion trainer Paul Nicholls allow him to ride – hopefully Market Rasen Racecourse ambassador Sean Bowen will be making an appearance.
As well watching the races, visitors on Saturday can also sample ales from the Spire Brewing Company. The beer festival is on the Brocklesby Lawn.
Nadia Gollings, General Manager, Market Rasen Racecourse, said: “Spectators at the racecourse this Saturday get the best of both worlds. There is an exciting jump racing card, indeed the richest in Britain during September. We are also delighted to have created a partnership with the Spire Brewing Company to stage a beer festival.”
More information is available at www.marketrasenraces.co.uk where tickets can be bought in advance at a discount. Accompanied children are admitted free of charge, while adult tickets purchased in advance start at £9. Racing begins at 2pm, with gates open two hours before.
Market Rasen Racecourse is staging 22 jump racing meetings in 2016 and is a leading conference and events centre in the East Midlands.  More information is available at www.marketrasenraces.co.uk
Market Rasen Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years.  Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk

PICTURED: Racing at Market Rasen. Many people from the Brigg area are regular spectators at its meetings.