Wednesday 22nd January
By SP2A Analysis
Catterick 2.08 Handicap Chase - Class 5 - 3 miles 1 furlong - 11 run - Good to Soft
At the top end of the market here Hobbs Delight should be suited by the track and has shown some promise but not a particularly compelling favourite on recent form and I'm happy to pass it over and look for better each way value. Batman For Ever may need the run off an 7 month break, Super citizen may well place but is a bit one paced and at big Odds I think Wexford park is worth adding to the TRACKER, some of its collateral P2P form suggests it could be running off a mark at least a stone better than this but two "Pulled Up" runs don't yet inspire confidence.
The top weight TEDWIN HILLS ran well on season debut until getting a cut when clouting a fence, they have had a 3 month break but the prominent running style suits this track and I'll be disappointed if he's not fit enough to place at the very least. With 11 runners there are no major enhanced places but I would propose a small e/w nibble if you wanted a small e/w bet on 5 BENEFIT BEN @ 20/1 who is highest priced in the early markets but a decent 3 mile P2P run suggests that this step up to over 3 miles may well see a significant improvement at some stage (North)
Catterick 2.38 - Handicap Hurdle - Class 4 - 2 miles 3 and 1/2 furlongs - 12 run - Good to Soft
This is uber competitive and a very deep race.
Diamond Koda , up in trip and Komedy Kicks, up 5lbs head the market and look solid enough. Ridin Solo is upped in trip and whilst I tipped Achnamara to be an 18 length winner on Boxing Day, I think a 13 penalty and a move away from Sedgefield won't play to his strengths today. Love True from a prolific yard is another upped in trip and Aquitaine Boy is another winner last time out, this one gets a 7lbs penalty and might not find this tight track as much to his liking as the long straight at Newcastle.
KAZONTHERAZZ is in the TRACKER and jumps off the page at me a little with proven Course and Distance form, a prominent running style should keep it out of trouble and the booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye too. MY FRIEND YEATS is a Course runner up, a canny Yard goes for first time cheek-pieces and at around 10/1 looks very good each way value. If either of those were a non runner the 6 Final Edgar @ 14/1 returns to Hurdles off a very nice handicap mark and if transitioning quickly back could be a real dark horse. It should be a cracking race to watch for sure (Northern)