13:50 Catterick

Friday 24 November 2017

All12:2012:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Go Racing In Yorkshire Winter Festival Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 35.20s

Milansbar²⁷²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 137

10/1

Capable stayer who has been pulled up in his last three starts over fences. However, in his defence, those races were the Welsh National, the Classic Chase and the Eider. 8lb lower than when a 2L runner up in the 2016 Midlands Grand National.

Form: 29/4PPP-

Delusionofgrandeur²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 134| CD

6/4

Unbeaten in three starts at this track (C&D), with each and every one of those efforts representing rock solid novice form (hurdle and chases). Beaten just over 3L by Audacious Plan in the Durham National latest, and tough to pass off the front end.

Form: 4118-33

Thumb Stone Blues^p1,t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 132| BF

10/3

A two time hurdles winner on decent ground (up to 2m5f), but hasn't quite hit the mark since switched to fences this term. Seems to stay this trip, and should run a solid race with cheek-pieces added to his tongue tie.

Form: 2122-32

Jovial Joey^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 132

25/1

A 3m winner at Perth in April (good), but form figures since which read P,U,P doesn't exactly offer much in the way of positive vibes. However, he was out of his depth over an inadequate 2m at Carlisle latest, and probably needed the race.

Form: 231-PUP

Strongly Suggested³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

22/1

Not quite able to back up his September Warwick success (3m good) from a 7lb higher mark at Worcester latest; beaten 1¼L by Aunty Ann. Conditions ideal for another positive showing, but up another 3lb and that's the worry.

Form: 658612

Tomkevi^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 124| C

14/1

Has plenty of ability, a seven time career winner from 37 starts, but he does appear a shade unpredictable. A 13L winner at Hexham in May (3m good), he's 7lb higher now, and on balance that's too much.

Form: 1P2-157

Cup Final^t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: B Haslam| OR: 124

25/1

Punchestown Festival winner in 2016 for Nicky Henderson, but he's nowhere near that level these days, and has looked regressive over fences since a mildly encouraging start earlier in the year. Lacked any real fluency at Kelso latest (2m5f+).

Form: 1-22035

Raktiman^t³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 124| C

20/1

A 10L course winner from a 3lb lower mark (2m3f+ February 2016), and he's won a small field affair at Sedgefield since then (3m2f soft, March 2017). Didn't appear to relish the unique test of Fakenham latest, and this looks tough.

Form: 92317-3

Total Assets⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 115| D

13/2

Beaten 7¼L by Actinpieces over C&D in February when last tackling fences, and has made light of a lower hurdles mark since with form figures reading 1,1,2,2. Beaten 13L by Native Optimist at Hexham on seasonal bow last month, so more required here.

Form: 23112-2

Forecasts

Delusionofgrandeur (6/4), Thumb Stone Blues (10/3), Total Assets (13/2), Milansbar (10/1), Tomkevi (14/1), Raktiman (20/1), Strongly Suggested (22/1), Cup Final (25/1), Jovial Joey (25/1)

Catterick is where DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR most commonly struts his stuff, and he's fancied to maintain his unbeaten course record despite facing his most difficult test in North Yorkshire yet. He is a horse who lays it all down on the table off the front end, and one can't but help be endeared to his bold and brave style of racing. His most recent Sedgefield (3m5f) Durham National third to Audacious Plan represents solid form, and from the same mark, he's likely to relish this drop back in trip on ground which clearly suits. In a very pleasing looking contest for the opening day of the season at Catterick, both Thumb Stone Blues and the steadily weights climbing Strongly Suggested represent realistic alternatives to the selection.