15:40 Catterick
Monday 13 February 2017
All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40
racinguk.com Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 1m 7f 156y | Soft (Heavy in places) | 8 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 56.77s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Can be a rather inconsistent sort but was a wide margin winner at Bangor in December off a 12lb lower mark and did run a respectable race last time out at Haydock. Up 2lb here in a similar grade he's no certainty to run his race again, being a rather quirky sort.
Won on his debut over hurdles when taking a juvenile at Wetherby in October 2015 and originally handed a mark of 133 which looked high. The handicapper has gradually started to release the handbrake and he runs here off a career low of 115. Looks to be capable of winning off a mark such as this but has proved disappointing on his last two starts.
Has shown reasonable form on the Flat and fair form since going jumping over both hurdles and fences. Has been chasing of late and switches back to hurdles here off a falling mark and despite a break, looks to have plenty to do.
Showed nothing in two point-to-points and very little in a bumper and three novice hurdles. Showed up well on his handicap debut shaping much better than his finishing position suggests off a mark of 108; travelled well although his finish was a little disappointing. Improved on that run last time out when running into a well-handicapped sort in Lady Buttons (winner again since) and looks the sort to improve further off the same mark as last time out.
Has had just the three runs over hurdles (placed twice) and also a winner on the Flat at Wolverhampton (rated 72). Comes back from a break here to go handicapping over hurdles for the first time on a track that should suit (found Hexham too testing last time out) and the mark of 105 looks a fair one based on his form so far.
Very lightly raced in the past couple of years although he did win in August 2015 at Market Rasen in novice company. Not seen again until recently when pulled-up on his handicap debut for his new yard and given his absence it's safe to assume that he has had some problems.
Very rare runner over jumps for this predominantly Flat yard and has been well below form of late. Showed his last real form when a winner at Doncaster, following that up with a second in early 2016. Shown very little after that and even a return to Doncaster on his latest start couldn't spark a revival, although he was hampered after four out and spared a hard race; gets a slight ease in grade here.
Modest hurdler but in good form of late in three runs pre and post Christmas with the best of them coming here on New Year's Day with a win in a handicap over this distance making that his first win since scoring at the meeting two year's previously. Won easily with the new positive tactics appearing to suit and a career low mark a big help. Ran well again last time out although in a lower grade than he faces today but does go well here (1312) and a solid display is expected.
Forecasts
Beeno (6/4), Raise A Spark (9/2), Never Up (13/2), Our Thomas (7/1), Quill Art (15/2), Snowed In (15/2), Arabian Oasis (28/1), Mr Selby (80/1)
Beeno is likely to be very popular given his profile from his two handicap runs so far which have shown him to be improving and he was unlucky to run into a real handicap blot last time out. There is some strength in depth relative to the grade though and both Snowed In who has a good record here and Raise A Spark (in good heart at the moment) need respecting. However ARABIAN OASIS shaped well in his novice races and over this sharp trip going handicapping for the first time, he makes some appeal and may prove to be value in a good race for the grade.
1. Arabian Oasis
2. Beeno
3. Snowed In
Prize Money
1st: £3,899.002nd: £1,145.003rd: £572.004th: £286.00
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