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15:10 Catterick
We start with a staying handicap over one mile and seven furlongs. It’ll be testing with the ground already described as soft.
Politbureau is the one that is in the best form and is very consistent with his efforts. He has raced on the flat six times already this season and has never finished outside of the first three. His mark has risen from 49 to 65 over that time but he remains one to note. Most of his form this season has come on slower surfaces including a second by a head to Underwritten on soft ground at this venue.
Slipper Satin is one that looks difficult to weight up. Her mark has risen following a good second at Redcar over a shorter trip. However her best flat efforts have been over one mile and six furlongs while her last win was over hurdles on this sort of ground proving the stamina is there. She is one that is quite interesting. Generous Dream has put in two good efforts since retuning to the turf. This mare was second in a selling handicap at Beverley on soft ground before finishing third at Ripon to La Bacouetteuse. She runs here up in class but off the same mark. She would be the pick of the Antony Brittain pair.
Philip Kirby has Perennial hasn’t won since October 2013, which came on the all-weather. This son of Motivator ran well at Newcastle behind the progressive Aldreth and prior to that a good second in an amateur riders handicap on similar ground to this. The handicapper still isn’t cutting him much slack. Cheekpieces replace the blinkers again here.
Politbureau (WIN)
15:40 Catterick
We remain at Catterick for a seven-furlong handicap and Alaskan Wing has course form here; from four starts he has won three times. Despite stumbling out of the stalls here last time he required the entire trip to hold off Tavener and was possibly extending his lead come the line suggesting the extra furlong shouldn’t be too much of a problem. His only effort on soft ground was disappointing, so he may want it to dry out a little.
Swift Approval ran a good race behind Dawn’s Early Light in a Class 3 handicap and drops back into Class 4 here. He has shaped well previously but didn’t show much at Beverley when last seen off this mark. One of his more recent efforts on slower ground was one at Haydock finishing second to Outback Ruler and was staying on well. This track may suit but the yard’s form would be a worry. Especial is kept for only this sort of ground and has only raced four times this year, so there could be plenty more in the tank. He stayed on well for second in testing conditions at Hamilton and the extra furlong should suit.
Karl Burke has success in France on Sunday with Odeliz and has Liberal Angel, who looks to be on the upgrade following her win at Newcastle 12 days ago. She kept on to win by a neck, so has only gone up 3lb for that win plus she gets weight all round, which would be important in this testing conditions. From stall one she should be ridden prominently by Joey Haynes and that may help again on this ground.
Liberal Angel (E/W)
16:40 Catterick
The final selection also comes at Catterick for a ‘Twelve Furlong Handicap.’
Sir Michael Stoute sends Plane Song for this contest, which is an interesting runner. However it took three efforts for him to get off the mark at Salisbury on quick ground. Just 32 days ago he was a well-beaten last of four on bottomless ground at Ascot and it won’t be too dissimilar here in terms of conditions.
Multellie looked fairly useful when making all at Ripon where he’s done most of his running. The ground didn’t stop him that day by extending his lead when staying on from two furlongs out, so he looks to be on the upgrade and could overcome the 7lb rise in the weights. Triple Dip is one that could contest him for the lead but has done the majority of his racing on sounder surfaces. When raced on slower ground as a juvenile she handled it well finishing second at both Newmarket and Nottingham, so she should cope. It was a good effort when third to Shell Bay at the Shergar Cup and the winner has won again since.
Swaheen may find this easier than his last race at Doncaster. He went up 10lb for his emphatic win at Ripon but may need to show a bit more off this mark. The hood is on for the first and Joe Doyle is able to claim 3lb. Dominada has ran well twice on the level recently since his two outings over obstacles. Gearoid Brouder claims 7lb taking him back to his last winning mark and the apprentice gets an opportunity here to showcase his skills, so far this season he is two wins from eight races.
Multellie (WIN)