16:45 Catterick

Thursday 11 May 2017

All14:0514:3515:1015:4516:1516:4517:15

Catterick Veterans' Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 1m 12.43s

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Selected odds by:

(8)

Best Trip^p1,t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 75

12/1

Twice a winner here over 7f, his most recent success was over C&D (good to firm) last July from 9lb higher. Has paid his dues since then and now drops in grade. Should be capable of going very close if the headgear works (has only once worn blinkers in 84 starts and was well beaten).

Form: 0007-00

(1)

Secret Missile¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 72

16/1

Won over this trip at Chelmsford in October 2015, but has not added to that, with all previous success being over shorter. Now 15lb lower than that last win but recent runs have not suggested that we are about to see a revival in fortunes.

Form: 090-007

(6)

Vallarta⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: J Garritty| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 72

3/1

Goes well at this trip, despite his latest success being over 7f at Ayr last year. That came from today's mark and recent starts have seen him very competitive from it over both 6f and 7f, so no reason why he can't figure again this time.

Form: 50-6333

(4)

Extrasolar²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: P Makin| T: G A Harker| OR: 71

6/1

1lb drop since being comfortably held over this trip at Redcar last month and 11lb when last winning, which was during his time with Amanda Perrett. Not easy to recommend unless significant support for him.

Form: 29-0708

(5)

Meandmyshadow^b¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: A D Brown| OR: 71

6/1

12 of her 15 wins have been over this trip and she tends to pick up a couple of successes per year, although her only one in 2016 was at Newcastle in October from 1lb lower. Was competitive when a beaten favourite at Doncaster last time and 1lb drop gives her a squeak.

Form: 3140-53

(3)

Willbeme¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁷⁾| T: N Bycroft| OR: 67

4/1

A long time between drinks for this veteran mare, whose last success was way back in June 2014 at York from 14lb higher. Back up 1lb for this after going close over 6f at Thirsk (good to firm) last month and can again get involved.

Form: 970-602

(2)

Meshardal^p1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 65

7/2

On a lengthy losing run since his C&D win in June 2015 from a 20lb higher mark. Threatened to break that at Southwell last month and connections now opt to use headgear for the first time in his 42nd career start. Market check advised to gauge confidence.

Form: 7-33202

(7)

Windforpower^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 63

16/1

Extraordinary that he has been runner-up here on six occasions but never yet managed to win at the track. All but one of his 13 wins have been over 5f, with the other over 5½f, so the petrol gauge is clearly on empty over this far and at 1lb higher than when beaten a neck here last time he is again vulnerable.

Form: 642129

Non-Runners

(9)

Pushkin Museum¹⁹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: P Morris J: G Lee

Forecasts

Pushkin Museum (2/1), Vallarta (3/1), Meshardal (7/2), Willbeme (4/1), Extrasolar (6/1), Meandmyshadow (6/1), Best Trip (12/1), Windforpower (16/1), Secret Missile (16/1)

A competitive event in prospect and BEST TRIP can take advantage of a drop in grade and a likely strong gallop to claim a fourth course win. Vallarta and Meshardal are an interesting pair representing Ruth Carr, while Meandmyshadow and Windforpower are others who should be in the shake-up.