CATTERICK

7:05 WHY NOT TRY A PUNTERS PACKAGE HANDICAP (CLASS 4) (4yo+,0-80) 7f

BEL CANTOR 9-4 ~ Has winning form over course and distance and with a favourable draw the 5yo has to be respected. He seems to be a better performer round a bend and with a bit of cut in the ground so todays conditions should be ideal. However the straight track at Doncaster didn’t seem to inconvenience him too much as a he finished 5th in a handicap sprint that has worked out extremely well. He was a bit below par at Ripon next time out but if back to his best with everything in his favour he looks like the one they all have to beat.

HITS ONLY JUDE 9-3 ~ Been in fine form over the winter but the 5yo definitely took well to the Fibresand surface and recorded 3 wins in 3 runs at Southwell. Probably unfair to put his improvement solely down to the surface but he will have to have improved to win off his new mark of 79. Especially considering Paul Blockeys grey has yet to win a race on turf. However he made an encouraging reappearance on the turf at Folkestone in a 6f handicap. He finished 4th in a race that has worked out well but although likely to run his race he’ll probably find at least a couple too good unless finding improvement from somewhere.

NUIT SOMBRE 9-3 ~ Finished last years turf season with 3 fine runs over course and distance (1,3,1) so this 8yo gelding clearly goes well at the track. He has also won from stall 13 so stall 12 shouldn’t be too much of a concern given how well he can ping the gates and he should be able track across. His only defeat came behind Bel Cantor but he was giving away 4lbs to that rival for a length beating. 5lbs better off he could have chances of reversing the form but after coming back after a winter break the 8yo hasn’t returned in the same form. He did run a better race at Thirsk last time out so maybe a return to his favourite track might spark him back to form.

TENCENDUR 9-1 ~ Another with winning course and distance form as Dandy Nicholls’ 4yo won a Class 5 handicap two runs ago. He was only raised 3lbs in the handicap for that win so isn’t on an unreasonable handicap mark. He subsequently disappointed at Doncaster before finishing 2nd behind Dudley Docker at Southwell on the turf. The latter is a difficult race to assess with 4 inconsistent and disappointing rivals. That race does leave the impression though that he is back to form after his disappointing run at Doncaster. If so he is sure to be there at the finish at a track he has already shown a liking for.

SAM’S SECRET 9-1 ~ Alan Swinbank really found the key to this mare last season and she improved some 16lbs whilst recording 5 wins. She proved to be equally effective over 7f as over a mile and arguably her best effort came when sandwiching Society Music and Millestan in a decent fillies handicap at Thirsk. The handicapper has left her on the same mark and she has run well fresh before so she would have to be in with a chance. However she may need the run in this company and she really needs faster ground so that combination tempers enthusiasm.

DAAWEITZA 9-0 ~ Appears to be more effective on a galloping track so 7f round this tight track isn’t certain to suit. Brian Ellisons gelding has also returned this season in questionable form but the handicapper has responded by dropping him to the same mark he carried when winning at Haydock last year. Not without a chance and although yet to win in soft conditions he handles cut in the ground. However there are more reasons to oppose the 5yo chestnut than back him so he is passed over.

WOODY VALENTINE 8-13 ~ 120 rated hurdler at his peak for Miss Venetia Williams but the 7yo gelding showed nothing for his new trainer in two starts over timber last season. 4 years since he was last season running on the flat and he was a 10f horse rather than a 7f horse. On a decent mark if back to his best but hard to have any confidence that his trainer has got him back to his best. There are plenty of reasons to oppose him and he is extremely hard to fancy.

IMPERIAL ECHO 8-12 ~ Needed help from the handicapper before the gelding managed to record his first victory in 20 starts at Thirsk last time out. Back up 4lbs for that small margin victory in a weaker race than todays he still needs to build on that effort to follow up. He isn’t the horse he was two years ago and he was well held by Bel Cantor and Nuit Sombre when last seen over course and distance so a similar result looks likely.

HICCUPS 8-11 ~ 7lbs lower in the handicap than his last winning mark and hinted at a returned to form last time out when finishing 4th at Thirsk. Needs to improve again to win but the handicapper has given him a chance. A versatile sort regarding ground and he is a previous course and distance winner so he has to enter calculations.

CHAMPION SANDS 8-7 ~ Last seen finishing behind Nuit Sombre over course and distance and he reopposes today on identical terms. Difficult to see how he could reverse form with an in-form Nuit Sombre but that rivals current form must give connections hope. However the 9yo gelding is exposed and should need the run after 6 months off the track. He would also prefer faster ground and is 8lbs higher than his highest career winning mark. His style of running makes life tough here at Catterick and it isn’t hard to look elsewhere.

KING HARSON 8-5 ~ Only 1 win in 14 starts here at Catterick and the 9yo is well exposed. He is held by several of todays rivals but more recently has ground to find with both Hiccups and Tencendur on his two runs this term. He hasn’t won for two years and difficult to see him changing that record today.

PAY TIME 8-4 ~ 4lbs out of the handicap and likely to be in need of the run after 8 months off the track. The 9yo mare is also better on faster ground and is 6lbs higher than her highest career winning mark so plenty of reasons to take her on.

CONCLUSION

This a competitive little handicap containing several course and distance winners in the line up. Sam’s Secret would be the one to beat but she would prefer faster ground and this is her first run in 8 months. Hiccups is on a decent mark but needs to improve on what he has shown this term. The same can be said about Nuit Sombre but his course and distance record gives plenty of hope that he can bounce back to form. However he maybe playing for a place only as this ground is far from ideal and he still something to find with the likes of Bel Cantor. Dandy Nicholls’ Tencundur is a deserved favourite as he has to be respected given his course and distance win three efforts ago. Slight preference though is for Bel Cantor who is a dangerous horse on the form of his Doncaster effort and he won a similar race to this over course and distance last year. Given his decent draw he could prove hard to peg back.

1pt WIN – BEL CANTOR @ 10.0

RESULT

BEL CANTOR 8th = -1pt