There’s more Flat racing on at Catterick this Wednesday, with seven races on the card; five handicaps, a maiden and a novice.
Read on for a preview of and tips for the Catterick card, brought to you by Sporting Life.
We begin with a five-furlong apprentice handicap (1.52). Adrian Keatley’s new recruit Tommy McJohn was third when last seen in Ireland and could be improved by a change of scene. Nacho Nacho Nacho is in first-time cheekpieces, switching from a visor, and is back down to his latest winning mark, but may find the trip too sharp.
Next is another five-furlong handicap (2.22). Ivan Furtado’s Rotokura Belle won her latest start over course and distance, and she looks competitive once again. A couple of lengths behind her that day was Moretons, who looks dangerous having come down two pounds. Given some luck in running, he could outrun his odds.
A mile and a half maiden follows (2.52). Charlie Johnston’s five-year-old Tide Lines is newcomers, which is unusual at his age, and it’s much easier to favour the others, despite a nice pedigree. Ralph Beckett’s Cranachan showed some promise on his reappearance last month, while the useful Lord is fit from a hurdling campaign and could go nicely.
Race four is a seven-furlong novice (3.22). Gemma Tutty’s Soda is the only newcomer here, bred to be useful but more likely as a handicapper in future. Stella Lucente and Got The Booty were both second when last seen, with the latter possibly the better of the two. Borjina could improve on her sole start for fourth last year.
A handicap over the same trip is next (3.52). Evocative Spark won over course and distance last time out and has risen four pounds in the handicap since, so looks unlikely here. Topweight Vince Le Prince was second on seasonal reappearance behind him, but it might be that Asian Journey can do better for the slight step down in trip and win for Sam England and Oisin Orr.
Our penultimate race is a six-furlong handicap (4.25). David O’Meara’s Aberama Gold makes plenty of appeal, based on his most recent run over course and distance, which yielded a close fourth place. Dorney Lake also looks able to win now, down one pound since a recent placing.
Last of all is a handicap run over a mile and three quarters (5.00). Micky Hammond’s Stellarmasterpiece usually factors in races like this, and should make a good display of himself. If a first-time visor has the desired effect, Alan Brown’s Nakatomi could be a danger at more of a price.
Catterick selections – Wednesday:
1.52 – Tommy McJohn
2.22 – Moretons e/w
2.52 – Cranachan
3.22 – Stella Lucente
3.52 – Asian Journey
4.25 – Aberama Gold
5.00 – Nakatomi e/w
