Wednesday 24th July
By SP2A Analysis
Catterick 4.10 - HCap Class 6 - 7 furlongs - Good to Firm - 16 run
My Honey B and Obee Jo are in the Tracker, I'm not convinced about the former and the latter has a high draw and both may have to wait for a win. Mutanaaseq has a decent each way shout and at bigger Odds I can see better runs coming at some point for Manigordo whose mark is in freefall but who drops to a basement level and Body Parts whose AW form is so far better than on Turf.
My clear stand out top rated though for a small stake in a trappy contest are WITHOUT DELAY a Course and Distance winner off 57, no chance last time drawn out wide but has a solid chance here off a mark of 59 from a middle draw. SWINGING EDDIE is drawn 3 so primed to attack and has wins off marks of 59 and 60 to his name and is race fit now and off a mark of 58 this Course and Distance winner really has no excuses not to be placed at the very least.
Catterick 5.10 Handicap - 6 furlongs - Class 6 - 12 run - Good to Firm
At the top of the market Highjacked will be tough to beat as will Soul Singer and a crafty small reverse forecast may be a nice way to play them today.
A fair few of these wont ideally want to hear their hooves rattling though and some are just totally out of form.Grand Style is a hard puller so the drop in trip is a logical move and this one could pull out a big run and was 3rd top rated (reserve if a n/r). Quercus won this last year but isn't in the same sort of form now as then coming into today.
Once again, I'll speculate a little on a pair and they are REDROSEZORRO who is an 8 time Course winner and some of those at Course and Distance who is drawn in Stall 3 and although regressing a little could really do some damage off a mark 8lbs below a 2023 win mark. TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG is at the other end of it's racing career and this 3 year old has caught my eye a few times running very well at 7 furlongs and a mile before fading in the closing stages. A drop to 6 furlongs and likely to have some scope still to improve, a draw in Stall 4 will give this one hopefully a chance to bowl along in front but a furlong less may certainly see it lasting much closer to the winning line!
(Northern)
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Wexford 4.58 - Handicap Chase 3 and 1/2 miles - 16 run - Good (Showers)
We tipped Sphagnum over hurdles last time to be runner up but I'm still not convinced about what can be a bit of a white knuckle style of jumping over fences. The Friday Man at the far end of the market showed some unfulfilled promise when with Gordon Elliott so is one I will TRACK and watch forwards. Sea Aster for Elliott is 1st reserve and would be a massive danger to these. Gateau De Miel is in the TRACKER already but ha so far failed to fulfil some real promise from early runs, he has plenty of time though and I'll continue to track him after today.
My clear top 3 rated though are MARRONSTOWN who was a very impressive winner last time out and who has been given a nice break by connections and who really may be a horse with a decent future. TEMPTATIONINMILAN has slowly eased its way back down to its last winning mark and has been in tougher races than this and with race fitness now guaranteed, I will be very disappointed if not running into the first 5 home at the very least. DEFINITE PLAN takes a significant ease in grade and quality of opponent too and provided that this one has not been soured by some tougher races then it really does have it's best chance in a long time of delivering some tangible profit. It's more about the horse's mentality to take the chance when it comes and to enjoy the experience than any lack of ability.
(Sean)
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Wexford 5.28 Handicap Chase - 3 miles 1/2 furlong - Good - 16 run (Showers)
OCODANGO BAY @ 4/1 and Emily In Paris head the market , OB was very unlucky to not win last time when falling when surely a winner and at anything around 3/1 would be a sensible win saver bet. I think Emily In Paris is far better so far over Hurdles. Tuff Days has shown promise but looks a bit tight in the market, Ennemi Public is an old TRACKER horse who has threatened a few times but is a bit frustrating and I think this trip stretches it.
We have ARDAGH'S CHOICE and FILL THE TANK in the TRACKER already and they are top and third rated (excepting for the win saver on Ocodango Bay).
ARDAGH'S CHOICE has had 2 quiet prep runs and looks primed now, a Course and Distance winner off a mark of 99 and back down to an eye-watering 92. FILL THE TANK has Hurdle wins 90-99 and 100 and despite being in the veteran stage now still shows form and enthusiasm. He runs less over fences but a mark of 93 gives him very much a sporting each way chance of a top 5 finish.
Splitting this pair is STORMY MASTER who was a big priced SP Course and Distance winner on it's second and final run last season, it's had a similar prep run and clearly doesn't take much racing these days but the trainer knows the time of day and I'd have few doubts about fitness and IF the horse is ready you cannot ignore the past clear evidence at the price!
(MG)