14:10 CatterickWed 12 Apr 5f Hcap

Freedom Flyer looks a strong contender after a good win last week at Thirsk, though will be carrying a penalty for that victory. Hot Scoop has solid C&D form and has been performing well in the past, so could also be in with a chance. Captain Corcoran, who has won over C&D before, was unlucky last time out and could make a bold bid if he gets a better start.

Isle of Dreams is a previous C&D winner and had a successful summer last year, but this is her first run since a wind operation, so it remains to be seen how she will perform. One Hart has better form on AW than on turf but has run well on slow ground in the past, so could be a potential contender with a lower turf mark to exploit.

Josies Kid has been inconsistent but has run well in his last two races and may benefit from the visor. Spanish Angel has won on both turf and AW and could be a contender if conditions suit. Tommytwohoots has shown some improvement with cheekpieces on and could benefit from the outside draw, though has poor overall form.

Dandy Spirit has not shown his best form this year and may struggle. Foreseeable Future has a handy mark, but was below par last time out and is untested on the forecast soft ground. Imperial Khan has had some good races but has not been consistent and may not be among the top contenders. Birdie Bowers has been performing credibly, but may struggle against the stronger competition.

14:40 CatterickWed 12 Apr 5f Mdn Hcap

In this 5f Maiden Handicap at Catterick, there are several runners that could be in with a chance of winning.

Grandad Bob has had a wind operation and switches to handicap level for the first time, which could prompt a much-improved performance after his poor showing over C&D when last seen. Trainer has won this race with handicap newcomers in 2014 and 2022, making him an interesting prospect.

Jamie Bond has shown signs of ability and may improve now handicapping on first run since being gelded. As a £130,000 breeze-up buy, he could be expected to be in the mix, especially with market confidence behind him.

Montelusa has generally been consistent otherwise, though his form dipped on final outing in July. If he doesn’t need this reappearance run, he could well bounce back, making him a contender to watch.

Premier Option is a profitable gelding who displayed race-by-race progress in maiden/novice events last term. He has a fighting chance if he can get back on track returning from a six-month break, and back to the form he showed in August.

Shine’s Ambition has placed several times over 6f last year, but put in an ordinary effort in a 5f novice event at Southwell on his reappearance. However, he may fare better with that outing under his belt, and the handicapper has given him a chance.

South Dakota Sioux is an exposed sort who has been generally in decent form this year, most recently a close fourth at Southwell over 5f last week. He may not have won yet, but he has a good chance on form.

In conclusion, Grandad Bob, Jamie Bond and Montelusa look like the top three contenders for the race, with Premier Option and Shine’s Ambition also in with a chance.

15:15 CatterickWed 12 Apr 1m6f Hcap

1. Quercus Robur – This horse has won four of his last eight races, including the last two over 2m on Newcastle AW for this yard. He has won on good to soft and remains in form, so he is an interesting contender despite the career-high mark.
2. Mister Camacho – Although still a maiden, he largely held his form well in handicaps last term. He had a solid return from a 5-month break when third at Doncaster (11.9f, heavy) 10 days ago, finding his stamina kicking in late on. He has good claims back up in trip.
3. Gift of Raaj – He won over hurdles in February but had a poor run two weeks ago. However, he stays well, has won on good to soft, and should give a good account if back to his best.

Other horses that could also be in with a chance include Golden Keeper, who won a maiden handicap at Beverley last season, and Arctic Fox, who won two handicaps at up to 14f at Haydock last summer but finished the campaign in a lull.

However, Oasis Prince lacks a recent run and may be better on good ground. Punxsutawney Phil, who has won a bumper, hurdle, chase, and on the AW but is having his first run on turf on the Flat, is perhaps best watched on return from a break.

15:48 CatterickWed 12 Apr 7f Nov Stks

In this 7f novice stakes race, Divine Libra stands out as the horse with the best chance of winning if he can reproduce his debut run form. He finished a clear second at Kempton over the same distance on the AW last autumn and has been given time off since his last run. He has the ability to win this race, but his chances will depend on his ability to settle better than he did last time out.

Three Yorkshiremen has been consistent and has run in useful nurseries over 7f/1m. He was gelded since his last run and can handle slow ground. He is a solid contender for this race at the novice level.

Nine Six Five is an interesting newcomer and could be worth noting given his notable sales price and the fact that he is a half-brother to a useful winner up to 1¼m. He could be well-prepared for his debut by his trainer.

Mascani, another newcomer, is also worth watching in the market, especially given his breeding, as he is a half-brother to a 5f-1m winner.

Headabovetherest is a twice-raced maiden who showed some improvement on debut and has been gelded since. He could have better things to come this term, particularly in handicaps.

Intoxicata is a U S Navy Flag filly who has not shown much in her two novice races, but she cost 200,000 euros as a yearling and could be a possible improver with her reappearance under her belt.

Wurkin Ninetofive has been keeping on in her races and gives the impression that the extra furlong will suit her. She could go well in this race.

Naughty George and Yorkstone are both twice-raced maidens and are likely types for handicaps in due course.

Loveliest has not shown much on debut and needs to improve significantly on her 5f maiden run to have a chance in this race.

16:18 CatterickWed 12 Apr 7f Hcap

1. Legal Reform – This horse has won over C&D on soft ground before and comes into the race in good form, having won at Southwell (7f, AW) last month. He has returned off the same mark as his previous win over C&D and should be respected.
2. Ey Up Its The Boss – He showed good form last year, completing a quick-fire hat-trick at Redcar over 7f in June, and is versatile ground-wise. Although he may have needed his reappearance run, he is capable of bouncing back to form.
3. Langholm – His record here catches the eye, with C&D form figures of 210313. He has run well on his last two reappearances and is versatile ground-wise.

Others that could be in with a chance:

1. Miss Calculation – She has conditions in her favour again today and is a solid contender under a 5lb penalty. She won at Thirsk (7f, soft) last week and has a chance of following up.
2. Metabolt – He won his maiden at Carlisle over 7f on good to soft ground and showed promise on his handicap debut at Chester (7.5f, good to soft). He is unexposed and could do better this season.
3. Special Mayson – He won a big-field handicap at Leicester (6f, good) last October and is capable of having a big say if he returns to his best form.

Horses that are unlikely to win:

1. Beauty Choice – He won at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) last October and has run well over 7f before, but may not appreciate soft ground nowadays.
2. Redrosezorro – He has won multiple times at Catterick but is now 9 years old and may need the run on his stable/seasonal debut.
3. Two Summers – He won a weak 6f handicap in the mud here in October and was not disgraced at Redcar on Monday, but more improvement is needed.
4. Shahnaz – She showed pace when winning three times last summer, including on good to soft ground, but was stretched by 1m2f on heavy going at Doncaster last October when last seen. The drop back in trip on her reappearance is a question mark.
5. Magical Effect – Although he won twice last year, including over C&D (heavy) in September, he was well beaten in his final race at Catterick in October and needs to improve.
6. Parys Mountain – Although he won this race two years ago on his reappearance, he was not seen at his best on his last start at Redcar in November and may need the run.

Overall, Legal Reform, Ey Up Its The Boss, and Langholm are the top three horses that have the potential to win. However, Miss Calculation, Metabolt, and Special Mayson are also capable of challenging for the win.

16:48 CatterickWed 12 Apr 1m4f Hcap

In the 16:18 Catterick race, there are a few horses that stand out as potential winners. Magical Effect won twice last year, including over C&D in September, and could be a contender in this race, especially with his trainer in good form. Legal Reform won off this mark over C&D (soft) in October 2021 and returned to winning ways at Southwell (7f, AW) last month, and could be respected back on turf. Parys Mountain could also play a leading role if ready to rumble on his comeback, having won this two years ago on his reappearance (good to firm) and ended last season with a win at Redcar (1m, heavy).

In the 16:48 Catterick race, Scottish Wind could be interesting on handicap debut, particularly with his trainer’s Flat horses in such good form. Glory and Honour won twice in August last year, including over C&D on soft ground, and should fare better today after a poor run back on the Flat at Doncaster. Sugarpiehoneybunch is coming off a win at Thirsk (1½m, soft) last week, but it remains to be seen if she can defy the penalty and perform as well in this race. Trailblazer, despite a poor run at Newcastle last week, had run well in cheekpieces on his two prior outings, and the headgear is back on now, making him a possible contender.

17:20 CatterickWed 12 Apr 6f Hcap

Aurora Glory (IRE) showed promise on her handicap debut last season and is capable of improving, especially given her trainer’s good start to the turf season.

Hardy Angel’s best run came at Ripon last season, but struggled on softer ground and lacks a recent run.

Lough Swilly Lass has no comments provided to assess her chances.

Midnight Flame was well beaten in testing ground on stable debut, but had shown promise prior to that and could be interesting here.

Monte Forte was disappointing after a good second on debut and has not shown much since.

River Usk showed improvement when going handicapping last season, but is having her first run on soft ground and her return to 6f is not sure to suit.

Shot won last time out in a 6f Lingfield handicap, but is not sure to be suited by the soft ground.

Silverlode has had fair efforts on her last two starts and could have possibilities back on turf with cheekpieces tried.

Tantalus showed promise on his last run when third over 5f at Newcastle and could be interesting, although he is unproven on soft ground.

Thornaby Beauty showed her best form at Southwell in February and, while she fared less well in her only subsequent start, could bounce back here.

We’renotreallyhere showed promise over 6f last season and the addition of blinkers and cheekpieces could help her here, but she has been below par in both starts this year and looks like the stable’s second string.

Based on the above comments, here are the top three horses that have the potential to win, along with other contenders and those that are unlikely to win:

1. Tantalus: He showed his best form last time out when third over 5f at Newcastle and the step up to 6f could suit him. He is expected to be in the mix here.
2. Silverlode: She has had fair efforts on her last two starts, both over 6f at Newcastle, and could have possibilities back on turf with cheekpieces tried.
3. Aurora Glory: She showed promise on her handicap debut last season and her trainer’s good start to the turf season adds to her appeal.

Contenders:

• Midnight Flame: He has shown promise in the past and could be interesting here.
• Thornaby Beauty: She showed her best form at Southwell in February and could bounce back here.
• River Usk: She showed improvement when going handicapping last season, but is having her first run on soft ground and her return to 6f is not sure to suit.

Unlikely to win:

• Monte Forte: He has been disappointing since his good second on debut.
• Hardy Angel: She lacks a recent run and struggled on softer ground last season.
• Shot: She won last time out, but is not sure to be suited by the soft ground.
• We’renotreallyhere: She has been below par in both starts this year and looks like the stable’s second string.