3 minute read

We’re taking a look at Wednesday’s Flat meeting at Catterick where a competitive racecard includes some eye-catching prospects.

Visit racingtv.com Novice Stakes (Catterick 15:48)

The top three in the betting could all lay claims to the favourite tag, and their dominance leaves the rest of the ten-strong field all offering nothing but outsider value at 22/1 or more. 

At the time of writing Divine Libra just about tops the betting after a couple of decent showings on the all-weather last autumn, and after a five-month break he is likely to feature prominently on his turf debut.

Three Yorkshiremen is the most experienced of the ten runners, with five promising runs on turf last summer, culminating in a respectable fourth place at York in October. His subsequent gelding and a liking for some cut in the ground should make him a strong contender here.

Backing a debutant can sometimes be a shot in the dark, but at the same time it might be the best time to get good value out of Nine Six Five. Trainer George Boughey is renowned for bringing newcomers to the track in top shape, and with a notable pedigree and Ben Curtis in the saddle, this gelding is likely to be in the mix heading into the final furlong 

One of the others that might just outrun her price is Ollie Pears’ Loveliest, who was never able to make up the ground lost when slowly away on her debut outing at Thirsk eight days ago. Her quick turnaround might be a sign of expected improvement with a better break, but she would still need one of the top three to falter to have any involvement.

Elsewhere on the Catterick card, the meeting kicks off (14:10) with course-and-distance winner Isle Of Dreams looking to carry on where he left off last summer, when four wins from seven outings culminated in an impressive hat-trick. Zak Wheatley resumes his partnership and his three-pound allowance will only enhance the claims of this mare, who also should benefit from a recent wind op.

Later on in the Happy Birthday Joanne Grimble Handicap (15:15), Quercus Robur catches the eye after four promising all-weather outings since the turn of the year. A change of yard also brought a step up in distance as new trainer Adam Nicol recognised his potential as a stayer. He won on his last turf outing at Redcar in October, and he looks set to go well again here under Jason Hart, despite a career-high mark.

In the last race of the day (17:20), the withdrawal of the strongly fancied Shot appears to have left the door open for Tantalus, assuming that River Usk does not hit the ground running on his season debut. Tantalus has eased his way into his season with four all-weather outings since the turn of the year, and arrives here off the back of his best performance yet, when finishing just over a length behind Urban Dandy at Newcastle. He is back up to his preferred six-furlong trip here and should be there or thereabouts at the line

Catterick selections

14:10 Isle Of Dreams

14:40 Shine’s Ambition

15:15 Quercus Robur

15:48 Nine Six Five

16:18 Miss Calculation

16:48 Scottish Wind

17:20 Tantalus