14:40 Catterick

Monday 13 February 2017

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

Dine And View At Catterick Races Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:43 | Winning time: 4m 54.95s

Almost Gemini^p¹⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: Kenneth Slack| OR: 117

5/1

In good form over hurdles last season with the wins coming at Sedgefield (twice) and Musselburgh all over this sort of trip while also won on the Flat in the summer at Pontefract. Back from a break here after falling on the Flat over hurdles at Sedgefield in August (clipped heels) and was closing in on the principals going well at the time.

Form: 41215/F

Danceintothelight^t²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114

7/1

Catterick regular who is 4/17 at the track over hurdles (also won on the Flat at the track) and will no doubt adopt his usual front-running role. In good form of late and turned in a sound performance from the front to win under an amateur rider (Mr T Gillard) last time out off a mark of 109. Up 5lb for that run and would require a career best here off a mark of 114 so may well be vulnerable.

Form: 161434-

Honest Intent²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jake Greenall| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 112

18/1

Two runs in point-to-points (runner-up on debut) before making his Rules debut in a Carlisle bumper (finished fifth) in November 2016. Three runs in novice hurdles since all at Wetherby over 2m with the best coming on second start when fifth to Craggaknock (raced freely) and looks as though further will suit but does need to settle better as he enters handicaps for the first time.

Form: 2-553

Fit The Brief^h,t⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 109

7/1

Yet to win after ten attempts in bumpers and over hurdles, with the last two runs coming in handicaps. Upped in trip last time out and in a tongue tie/hood combination for the first time (retained here) at Leicester and ran a typical race failing to settle that well and looking as though she's summed up by this mark.

Form: 62-F2U5

Tomkevi^p1,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 109

7/2

Won back-to-back handicap hurdles in 2015/2016 the second over C&D off a mark of 116. Struggled a little in four runs since then but showed some more spark on his latest outing at Newcastle when fifth to Rhymers Stone off 111 in a first-time tongue strap. Dropped 2lb for that effort and starting to look interesting off a lower mark than his last two wins on ground he should enjoy.

Form: 0521P2-

Gold Chain³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Challoner| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 109

16/1

Fair but inconsistent handicap hurdler who was in good form over the summer with back-to-back wins at Perth on consecutive days and a Carlisle win soon after. Not quite in the same form since and her best runs always appear to come at Perth (4/9 there). Last two starts have been particularly disappointing and can often get behind (looks a hard ride).

Form: 3587P3-

Mcvicar¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: W T Kennedy| T: J J Davies| OR: 108

33/1

Not seen over hurdles since finishing third at Sedgefield in April 2016 and won on the Flat (1m4f) at Thirsk straight after that run. Looked very rusty after an absence when running over 1m4f at Southwell recently but not won over hurdles since 2012 and probably has a little to prove back over hurdles.

Form: 957P33/-

Firstymini⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: S Mulqueen⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 107

66/1

Won three times over hurdles in France (also ran in four chases) but shown very little since running for his current stable. Pulled-up on his debut in an Ayr handicap (refused to settle) and followed that with another poor effort at Kelso; his yard are in much better form now though but does need to show a lot more than he has so far.

Form: 33-P096

Kauto Riko⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: T R Gretton| OR: 105

15/8

Lightly-raced sort who showed some ability in three novice hurdles and always looked the sort who would show more when sent handicapping. Ran poorly on handicap debut at Chepstow in April 2016 but back from a long absence he showed improved form to beat some inconsistent and disappointing rivals at Market Rasen over 2m2f last time out. Travelled with zest to win in good style off a mark of 98 and there may be more to come here off a 7lb higher mark.

Form: 4640-

Non-Runners

Bocasien Desbois²⁰

Weight: 10-7| Age: 6

T: M Todhunter J: A Nicol

Forecasts

Kauto Riko (15/8), Tomkevi (7/2), Almost Gemini (5/1), Danceintothelight (7/1), Fit The Brief (7/1), Gold Chain (16/1), Bocasien Desbois (16/1), Honest Intent (18/1), Mcvicar (33/1), Firstymini (66/1)

This looks fairly competitive and with it being Catterick it’s hard to leave out Danceintothelight out of the equation although he may well be vulnerable off this sort of mark but should give it a good go from the front once again. Honest Intent could do better now he goes handicapping if he settles better and Tomkevi may well do better than of late off this mark. However, this should provide a good head-to-head between Kauto Riko and ALMOST GEMINI both of whom look as though they could be useful in this grade with the latter getting the nod here. 1. Almost Gemini 2. Kauto Riko 3. Tomkevi