14:20 Catterick
Wednesday 8 March 2017
All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20
Lycetts Selling Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  1m 7f 156y  |  Soft  |  6 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:20Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 2.76s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Tried to give 11lb to the in-form Dark And Dangerous last time out at Sedgefield but beaten 20L. Dropped in grade this time and did win a Sedgefield handicap from a 1lb lower mark in November (2m, soft), so looks a player here with forecast conditions to suit.
Shoulders a 7lb penalty today after staying on well to win a similar contest at Southwell last week (good to soft). There was no bid for him that day, his four career wins have seen long gaps between them and although he has won from a mark of 125 in the past, the balance of his form in the last couple of season suggests he is one to take on.
Switches back to hurdles today for the first time in 14 starts and well over two years. Previously with Alan King and Harriet Bethell and remains a maiden, finishing runner-up on seven of his 21 career starts. Has run well here in two out of three starts, including when joint favourite for a chase in December from 1lb higher. Not ruled out.
Previously good enough to win a 1m 2½f Doncaster Flat handicap off 85, but that was nearly four years ago. Has never been able to translate that ability pound for pound to jumping, winning just 1-14 from a 2lb higher mark at Sedgefield (good to soft) last season. Well handicapped, but best recent form, including that, was in a hood which is left off today.
Has made the frame just the once in 14 attempts over hurdles, all three career wins being on the level, including the most recent over 1m4f at Haydock (good to soft) from a mark of 69 last May. Well beaten all three starts over jumps this season and slipped to a very workable mark which he really ought to be competitive from.
Former Marco Botti inmate who ran well in a couple of novices' hurdles for connections in the early part of last season, but has been fighting a losing battle with the handicapper for about a year now, during which time he has dropped 30lb. Recent form does not inspire and very hard to fancy unless there is market support.
Forecasts
Akula (3/1), Absolute (3/1), Beaumont's Party (7/2), Stilo Blue Native (11/2), Shalamzar (6/1), Money For Nothing (12/1)
It is interesting that Brian Hughes, who has ridden Stilo Blue Native in each of his last four starts is on BEAUMONT'S PARTY here and we should probably take the hint. The slight concern is that the best of his recent runs, including his most recent win all came when he sported a hood, which is left off today. Otherwise he looks well handicapped here. Stilo Blue Native can't be ruled out as he is weighted to go well and forecast conditions should suit him. Money For Nothing could be next best on his return to hurdling, while a market check is advised with reference to Shalamzar.
- Beaumont's Party
- Stilo Blue Native
- Money For Nothing
Prize Money
1st: £2,599.002nd: £763.003rd: £382.004th: £191.00
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