Needham keen to test the water with star mare Sine Nomine

Fiona Needham’s Cheltenham heroine Sine Nomine will step out of hunter chase company to take on the Pertemps Network Bud Booth Mares’ Chase at Market Rasen.

The grey shone on the biggest stage of all when landing the St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup at Prestbury Park last season, powering up the hill to fly the flag for Yorkshire under John Dawson.

The same rider will be in the saddle when the eight-year-old lines up at Listed level at Market Rasen, her first start outside of the amateur ranks following several successful seasons point-to-pointing and hunter chasing.

Needham, who is the clerk of the course at Catterick and won the Cheltenham hunter chase as a jockey aboard Last Option in 2002, said of Sine Nomine: “She seems in really good form, obviously it’s her first run back and everything sharpens up for the run, but she’s very well.

“It’s a hot race and obviously we’ve been in the point-to-point and hunter chase field, so it is a little step into the unknown. I’m relying on the handicapper a bit and hoping he’s not far out!

“I think we are due a bit more rain tomorrow morning and any rain would help because she stays so well.

“She’s a very determined mare, she’s been brilliant for us so far and she’s risen to the challenge of everything we’ve thrown at her.

“I just hope it continues, we’re dipping our toe in the water and she’s earned her chance to have a go.”

Stuart Edmunds will run the ultra-consistent Marsh Wren in the race, a horse who took her form to a new level last season when winning the Listed Colreevy Mares Novice Chase at Thurles and placing third in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham.

She makes her seasonal comeback at Market Rasen and like Sine Nomine would appreciate any rain ahead of the race.

“We’re very happy with her, I just hope the ground is soft enough for her,” said Edmunds.

“She goes there in good nick but she just absolutely loves it when the ground is soft.

“She’s very consistent and she’s been a star, it’s the right race for her, I just hope there’s a bit of rain.”

Lucinda Russell will be represented in the race by Apple Away, a Grade One winner over hurdles who struck twice over fences last term and was second in the Grade Two Hampton Novices’ Chase.

She made her reappearance in the Edinburgh Gin Chase at Kelso, where she was fourth, and will be supported in Lincolnshire by syndicate owners Old Gold Racing.

“Apple Away is in perfect form ahead of the Listed mares’ chase at Market Rasen on Wednesday,” said Russell.

“She came out of her Kelso reappearance really well, where she probably needed the run a little bit and was in against some seasoned campaigners too.

“Market Rasen ought to be right up her street. It’s flat, right-handed, and to that extent is very much like Perth, where she was fantastic in winning in April.

“Derek (Fox) goes down there to ride her, the three-mile trip is spot on, and so we think she’s got every chance.”

Of longer-term plans, Russell added: “We’ve made no secret of the fact that we have big dreams for her this season and the Scottish Grand National is her main aim.

“We want to build her up to that, so we’re keen not to over-face her in big handicaps all the way through the season.

“She’s improved markedly for her run at Kelso for sure, and I think the way Wednesday’s race has come together should suit her down to the ground. I hope she can run a big race for the Old Gold Racing team!”

Elsewhere in the contest is Nicky Henderson’s Fantastic Lady, who won the race in 2022 and was last seen taking the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at Sandown.

Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole’s La Renommee and Dan Skelton’s Sacre Coeur complete a field of six for the three-mile event.