Monday 12th May

Catterick 3.47 - Class 6 - Handicap - 5 furlongs - 15 run - Good to Firm

This is a tight and trappy 5 furlongs around a sharp left hand bend and traditionally low drawn horses have had an advantage especially on firmer ground. A few however drawn low today would either be out of form or not ideally suited to the Going, so it's certainly not as simple as focussing just on those drawn very low.

One who is drawn Low who ticks almost every box is Canaria Queen, drawn 3, yard is in good early form, which is not always the case and I'm loathe to leave her out but she definitely has a preference for "cut" in the ground and she was 4th rated in my final analysis, so reluctantly misses as investment today. Irish Dancer, who has had some decent placed runs in these conditions was the other one who I had to reluctantly leave out in the final analysis as a tongue tie is added, Stall 11 will require a fast break, or luck in running if they tuck in and try to find a way through traffic.

I believe that WITHOUT FLAW is a strong favourite and good market value for a win or each way saver in a competitive heat and is my clear top rated drawn 5. Next door is Stall 6 is JAMIE BOND, who is race fit, suited by conditions and really should be coming home in the first 4 under the race conditions today. If there is one draw a bit wider who could really bustle them up it's GOLDEN PROSPERITY, drawn in Stall 9 but this one is commensurately better in Good to Firm conditions as opposed to any other and provided they have not over-watered should run a big race.

Catterick 4.17 - Class 6 - Handicap - 1 mile 4 furlongs - 13 run - Good to Firm

I narrowed this down to 4-5 horses of whom Star Delta looks very solid and SPRING CHORUS is definitely the one to beat and top rated, whether you want to take the price though is another matter, so I'll leave that for you to decide.

My best "without the favourite" are SASSY GLORY who will surely come on for a recent seasonal debut and who has a strong place shout and will give the favourite plenty to think about, as will, PENELOPE'S SISTER who is the e/w banker at 9/2 ish if you want the option. The dark horse, if there is one in here though may be the AW specialist MAX OF STARS and it's interesting that this one has had a wind operation and they come straight on to turf after it, the horse has clear bits of turf form to suggest it may be over-priced.

I'm putting SASSY GLORY and MAX OF STARS up therefore as my each way tips and suggesting a small reverse F/Cast on the favourite and second favourite (SPRING CHORUS and PENELOPE'S SISTER) 

(Both Catterick races - Northern Tipster)

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Roscommon 5.25 - Handicap - 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 15 run - Good

With enhanced places and 3 reserves I will have a poke with 3 well handicapped horses here for some e/w value.

There are a few others to note, On A Session is a wily veteran perfectly capable of running a place at big odds still, Dynamic Force and  Desert Haven were not lightly discounted at all and could run big races, FAST TARA is one I have added to the TRACKER from today as becoming very attractively weighted and may just need to acclimatise further in a new Yard and another I am adding to the TRACKER is Shoot To Kill, one who I have had an eye on for a while who again probably just needs the run.

My top rated though are BUCCANEERS SPIRIT who ran very well for a long way over a mile last time just fading close home, as did DECLAREE for the in form Johnny Murtagh yard and unless they take each other one and ruin their chances, bot of this pair look ideally suited to this intermediate trip between 7 furlongs and a mile.   

PIER PRESSURE looks about due and the booking of a very good 7lbs Claimer suggests it can go very close. (MG)

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