Jump Racing - Sunday 8th July

[Edberg]

1.45 Market Rasen CHANGING THE GUARD 5pts win @ 11/10 bog (Ladbrokes and many more) Won in impressive style last time out giving 26L to the second (recording a RPR of 123) in a 10-runner class 5 handicap over 2m (hurdles) at Uttoxeter (1 Jul) and gets into this race just under a 7lb penalty (won off 97 and can race off 104 today). Dr Richard Newland's stable in great order with 5 winners and 10 top 3 from their last 20 runners in the last few weeks. Same jockey (Sam Jones) on board and the main danger seems the ground (soft) as last time out was good and his previous wins came either on the Polytrack or on good/good to firm ground but wasn't disgraced on soft and heavy in a couple of races on the flat and is facing a very weak opposition here with just 6 runners left and among them the big danger should be Stravita (McCoy on board) who has never finished out of the top 4 over hurdles (2 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds and 3 fourths in 10 starts) and won at the end of May over 2m1f a seller at Huntingdon (back from a 1-year break) before finishing second (well beaten) last time out at Fontwell (2m3f) back in handicap off a 4lb lower mark (83 and today's mark is 87). Softer ground wouldn't be a problem but the Hughie Morrison-trained mare has plenty to find to win this race if Changing The Guard can show again something close to his last performance.