Catterick 12.15

 

An intriguing little race where as well as the ability of the horse it's important to research the pilot on top as there will be some very different skill sets and that could be a big factor.

 

Burnage Boy who has been runner up on the last 2 runs is an understandable favourite although I'm far from sure this trip will suit it as much. Coup Du Gold is second favourite in the early market and has also been runner up on the last 2 starts and that looks very solid form but the jockey is inexperienced and something of a risk on that basis.

 

There are some very dangerous types in here too like Eclair Des Sablons who won a race in the past at Exeter off a mark of 97 has changed Yard and has one of the better jockey's, a place run at least should be the expectation today. Kings Creek for Mark Walford has a Course win off a mark of 108, so the mark today of 100 with a 7lbs Claim looks very interesting but again the extended trip is a niggle for me especially if they go off too quickly as can happen in these races. Schalke for the Menzies yard just missed the tips list and showed promise until an error last time and really feared on that form as is The Bravest for Ian Jardine, well backed last time on handicap debut and will be looking to recoup that today.

 

On the balance of probability and logic it's impossible to leave out COURT JURADO, the horses form in it's own right stacks up well, a 3 mile P2P winner, upped to 2 and a half miles and some solid form at shorter but a feeling this horse now needs to step up to this trip and beyond. The Yard continue to churn out the winners and only Nicholls and O'Brien are as prolific and in Abbie McCain they certainly have one of the better pilots on top.

 

If there is one at a bigger price with a more speculative chance it's the seemingly out of form OLD JEWRY. It can suddenly fire up as a sequence of a win, runner up and another win earlier this year showed off marks of 92, 95 and 97 and the return to form than was "inexplicable" according to the Trainer. It is best on this Going and at this trip and off a mark of 93 looks well handicapped again and one that it's certainly worth following on next few runs whatever happens today.

 

 

In the 1.15 race here a number have chances but again the McCain horse with the equally prolific Brian Hughes up - WHITECHURCH - dropped in trip looks worth some shrapnel in an open contest.