RACING EUROPE, comfortable winner of a bumper at Bangor last month, heads to Market Rasen today from Brian Ellison's Norton yard with good prospects of making a successful debut over hurdles.

The gelding, who was making it third time lucky in bumpers, is considered an exciting horse in the making by Ellison, who is keenly looking forward to seeing him over hurdles.

Racing Europe has already proved his jumping ability, having won a point-to-point before heading down the bumper route. He makes plenty of appeal in the 32Red Novices' Hurdle with the in-form Danny Cook on board.

Tony McCoy has an excellent chance of entering the Market Rasen after the 32Red.com Handicap Hurdle in which he partners Grand Gigolo for Ian Williams.

The five-year-old won in good style at Ludlow ten days ago and, significantly, as that win was achieved in a conditional jockeys' race, he escapes a penalty here. He ought to take plenty of beating in a weak-looking race.

Pain Au Chocolat can get punters off to a good start in the opening 32Red Juvenile Hurdle.

Trained by Alan King, the three-year-old showed promise when previously trained in France. He ran in two Flat races and a hurdles event, in which he finished second before switching to King. With Denis O'Regan in the saddle, he looks a useful alternative to recent course winner Blue Atlantic, who has 7lb penalty to overcome this time.

Knockolongi will have the services of Leighton Aspell, successful on stable-mate Many Clouds in last Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, in the 32Red Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Trained by Oliver Sherwood, whose Hennessy success highlighted the form of his horses, Knockalongi won by nine lengths on his chasing debut at Taunton three weeks ago after a lengthy absence. He could prove useful over the major obstacles and is awarded the nap vote.

The promising Shear Rock (2.25) has good prospects of opening his account for Charlie Longsdon, while Qasser (3.30), a 21-length winner at Plumpton a month ago, is fancied to oblige again, despite being hiked 19lb in the ratings.

At Wincanton, Philip Hobbs can maintain his purple patch by completing a treble.

The Minehead trainer, whose horses are in unstoppable form, is fancied to score with novice handicap hurdler Kublai (1.45), who has shown promise and does not look badly weighted, and also handicap chaser Silver Commander (2.15), who displayed consistent ability last season. Powerful Action (2.45), already paying his way this season, can add to the Hobbs' tally. Richard Johnson rides the stable's runners.

Harry Fry saddles Bitofapuzzle (1.10) in the mares' maiden hurdle, which looks a good opportunity for this useful six-year-old to extend her unbeaten record. Having got off the mark in a point-to-point, Bitofapuzzle has since won three from three in bumpers. She looks a very smart prospect.

Ivor's Queen (3.50) can complete a double for Fry and jockey Noel Fehily in the bumper. She gave notice last season in her two outings that she is not lacking in ability.
 

Selections

Market Rasen today 12.20 Pain Au Chocolat, 12.50 Racing Europe, 1.20 Knockalongi (NAP), 1.55 Oscars Way, 2.25 Shear Rock, 3.00 Grand Gigolo, 3.30 Qasser.

Wincanton today 12.35 Moonlight Maggie, 1.10 Bitofapuzzle, 1.45 Kublai, 2.15 Silver Commander, 2.45 Powerful Action, 3.20 Quite By Chance, 3.50 Ivor's Queen.

Today's other meetings Kempton and Leicester.

Tomorrow's meetings Exeter, Lingfield, Sandown and Wolverhampton.