Hey Day Baby heads to Market Rasen this afternoon for her fifth start over fences in the Class 5 Handicap Chase (14:05).

Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and Hey Day Baby lucky owners for the day across our social channels on X (@coral) and Instagram (@coralofficial).

Raceday LIVE Preview

Hey Day Baby returns to the scene of her scintillating victory in August this afternoon as she goes in search of her second victory for the Coral Racing Club. Her sole trip to Market Rasen resulted in her greatest performance in all of her runs so far under rules, where she tracked the leading group for much of the running, before making her move under Ben Macey with three flights left to take.

She scampered clear from that point to record a remarkable win, finishing 12 lengths ahead of her closest rival on the day. That was Ben Macey's second ride onboard Hey Day Baby, and he's set to take the reins on her for the fifth time this afternoon, after also riding her in her last two runs.

WATCH: Hey Day Baby's Raceday Highlights from Market Rasen

Unfortunately, Hey Day Baby wasn't able to back up that victory in either of her two next runs, as she pulled up on both occasions. She went to Newton Abbot immediately following her victory at Market Rasen and Ben Macey was forced to change tactics on her, as none of the field of seven were willing to take it up from the front. Despite Hey Day Baby jumping really well for the most part of the race, her exuberance meant that she struggled to settle and ultimately, she just used up way too much of her energy early on and she couldn't sustain it in the softer conditions which she wasn't too happy on.

This wasn't the only issue, however, as the team at Jackdaws Castle found signs of bleeding when conducting a tracheal wash following the race, which thankfully, wasn't caused by any underlying issue and was just from the exertions of the race at Newton Abbot.

After those results came back, the Jackdaws Castle team wasted no time in getting her back out on the course, as they put her in a race 15 days later at Warwick. She seemed to enjoy most of the 2m4f trip, but again appeared to weaken in the final stages of the contest after being fairly prominent in the middle of the pack for the first three quarters of the race. Ben Macey gave her an easy time after seeing her weaken, and made the wise decision to pull her up two from home. Subsequently, she's been dropped 4lbs in the handicap down to a mark of 77.


Hey Day Baby soars over a fence at Market Rasen back in August

From what we've seen so far of Hey Day Baby over fences, we know she's a superb jumper and that she has plenty of ability, she just needs a couple of factors to go her way to give her the best chance of putting it altogether.

We're set for another good ground contest this afternoon following the recent shortage of rain in the area which is one of those factors, and according to Chris Dixon's preview below, there should be a strong pace set from her rivals which is the other factor that should help Hey Day Baby. On top of that, trainers Jonjo & A J O'Neill have been in red-hot form of late with nine winners in the past two weeks, so hopefully our mare can add to that success later on.

Raceday Update from Jonjo & A J O'Neill

We're back to the scene of the triumph here and looking forward to this again, same pilot in Ben Macey, who claims a valuable 10lbs.

She had a little break and comes here fresh which should suit. The ground is good and 10 go to post.

One of the main dangers in the race is Eyes, who was one of the horses that moved from Paul Webber's stable when he retired. He ran well next time after a wind op and is now back down close to his last winning mark. He was competitive even before that, so he looks to be the one to beat here.

Zmiinyi, who wears a tongue for the first time, didn’t enjoy hurdling, but chasing might bring some improvement. He has run in two point to points, one of whom he was second in, the winner that day is now 95, so there is scope in this mark judging by that.

One for the placings, if not better, is Kankin. He is on a good run of form, winning two runs back and second the last day. He likes to be held up was second here before in a bumper and another one for the placings I think.

Fingers crossed Hey Day Baby can be in the mix once again here.

WATCH: Raceday Message from A J O'Neill

Chris Dixon, Racing TV Analyst, gives us his thoughts on Hey Day Baby's chances this afternoon and who he thinks could be her main rivals

Hey Day Baby returns to the scene of her 12 length success in August in a bid to return to form after a couple of disappointing efforts. Given her win came on the back of a 72 day break, the fact she’s been off for 52 days since being pulled up at Warwick is taken as a positive. Another plus is the likely tempo of the race which looks likely to be strong, as it as when she won here, and with the yard well among the winners there’s some encouragement she can return to form. If she does then she’s entitled to be going reasonably close though there is undoubtedly some more solid propositions among the opponents.

Chief among them is Eyed who is fairly treated and ran very well on his first run for this yard when second to a well-treated winner (who has won again since off a 7lbs higher mark) at Wincanton last time. Kankin was also second to one who won again next time when chasing home West Orchard at Plumpton so is considered a contender with the return to a slightly longer trip looking a positive for him. Unwanted Attention landed a bit of a punt when scoring here in June and is back down in grade after shaping well enough for a long way in a higher class race from out of the handicap at Chepstow – keep an eye on him in the betting.

Trainer and Jockey Statistics

Jonjo & A J O'Neill have really hit their stride in the last fortnight, picking up nine wins from 39 runners, including a double on the Charlie Hall Chase card at Wetherby. The father and son duo have trained 33 winners this season, with two coming at Market Rasen and one of those being Hey Day Baby.

Benjamin Macey has been pretty quiet recently, having not ridden a winner since visiting Market Rasen onboard Hey Day Baby in August. In his fledgling career, he's only ridden three winners, with a further 8 finishing in the places. Ben is set to head to Cheltenham tomorrow for one ride in the Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, so there's no doubt he'll be hoping he can build up some momentum by getting a big performance out of Hey Day Baby today.

Hey Day Baby's Owners for the Day

As winners of the Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Hey Day Baby's run at Market Rasen this afternoon.

Each winner, along with a guest of their choosing, will receive free entry to Market Rasen Racecourse, including exclusive access to Owners & Trainers areas. They'll have the opportunity to meet Hey Day Baby and the Jonjo & A J O'Neill team, plus get to head into the parade ring before the race begins to be amongst all the other owners, trainers and jockeys. And last but by no means least, each winner will get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won by Hey Day Baby.

Prize Money

Today's Class 5 contest is worth £7,500 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,960 for their lucky owners.

2nd: £1,822 | 3rd: £911 | 4th: £456 | 5th: £227 

    MARKET RASEN 14:05 – LATEST ODDS HERE    

We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 14:05 to watch Hey Day Baby's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.