Northern - Catterick 1.00

 

I don't think this race is as clearcut as it looks despite 3-4 in form horses at the top of the market.

 

Sayar is favourite on the back of two good recent placed runs at 2 miles and 2 miles and 2 furlongs, it gets this trip and is on a nice mark and clearly a big danger. The same applies to Irishbiggie who has won off a mark of 105 and placed off a mark of 110 both at Doncaster, its raised just 1lb for that last run but I am not totally sure it's quite as good on Soft rain sodden ground. Easy Street for Sue Smith is probably the biggest danger to the selections, a winner and runner up at 2 miles with a 3 mile P2P background, unlikely to be inconvenienced by the rain and if you can get 5/1 well worth a small e/w banker investment I'd suggest but there are a pair at bigger prices I just see as more value 

 

Shoughalls Boy arrives off the back of 2 wins both at Hexham off marks of 82 and 85and runs off 90 and is proven in heavy Going and he too will be a tough opponent. Rukwa won its last 2 runs last season, returns off a 303 day break so has clearly had issues or been given time for some reason, I think it'll need this and might not welcome the rain but one for your Trackers for sure. Twotwothree is a better Chaser than Hurdler but looks the type that could fire at any time and the return to hurdles is interesting. Lovely Moon too rates a danger; having romped home on its last 2 Irish starts but the handicapper here takes no chances and its raised around 2 stones!!

 

It's one of those races full of possible winners so there is market value to be had and all things considered I think that both SHERIFF GARRETT and QUEST FOR LIFE can outrun odds.

 

SHERIFF GARRETT is top weight and its last 2 wins have been off marks of 108 and 112 both at Hexham on Good and Soft going. The Yard love a touch in the winter with a small NH string and this horse who has also won over Course and Distance off a mark of 104 in heavy Going gets in off a mark of 115 with Tom Midgeley well worth his 5lbs Claim. I think he's coming right back in to win range and have a quiet fancy for today.

 

QUEST FOR LIFE is a much bigger price but back in this Class 4 level has a bit more than an outsiders chance when you study the form closely. Its last 2 wins at the trip have included one on soft and both wins were off a mark of 115. It's spent most of its recent runs up in Class 3 and gets in here off a mark of 113 with a decent 7lbs Claimer who can more than hold his own. I think its a bit of a dark horse largely unspotted by the market IF the old ability remains.

 

TRACKER - Sheriff Garrett / shrapnel - Quest For Life (consider e/w saver on Easy Street)