15:35 Catterick

Thursday 24 May 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Smith & Graham/Love Property Handicap

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 2m 38.62s

(1)

Neverbeen To Paris⁹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: D Tudhope| T: M L W Bell| OR: 70

5/4

Ran out a decisive winner on seasonal reappearance/handicap debut at Beverley last week (1m2f gd/fm), so carries a 6lb penalty for that success. Takes another hike up in trip but has plenty of stamina in his pedigree.

Form: 723-1

(9)

Braemar¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 70| BF

5/2

Found one horse too good in both starts in handicap company, including at Nottingham recently when just held by Gododdin. Up the weights and in trip, but is bred to stay; dam was a half-sister to the Derby/Arc winner Workforce.

Form: 86-022

(4)

Poetic Steps²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 70| D

9/2

Made every yard of the running, holding on gamely to score from stablemate Birdette at Musselburgh on her first try at this trip earlier in the month (good). Up 4lb in a stronger race, but respected.

Form: 850-791

(7)

Font Vert^b²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Louis Steward| T: R M Beckett| OR: 68

14/1

Has plenty of experience in handicap company, but is yet to win on turf and is still to wholly convince in terms of his stamina reserves over 12f. Easy track will suit, but others appear to be more realistic winners.

Form: 54-0134

(5)

Arthenia¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P Hanagan| T: C Hills| OR: 68

15/2

Camelot filly; 50,000 gns yearling. Not faced the easiest introduction to life in handicaps against progressive sorts at Newcastle (Casey Jones) and Chester (Austrian School), but stamina is taken on trust on pedigree and has just a little to prove.

Form: 763-45

(2)

Royal Liberty⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 63

50/1

Left Mark Johnston for £8,000 in November 2017 after steadily falling down the weights. Yet to race beyond 1m, so this appears to be asking plenty.

Form: 47600-5

(10)

Surrender²³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 53

100/1

Cost just £2,000 as a yearling, and looks light on ability based upon what we've seen thus far, including on handicap debut at Redcar in September 2017 (1m). Down 5lb, upped 4f in trip.

Form: 0770-

(6)

Pretty Moi²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 50

66/1

By a Derby winner out of a French middle distance scorer, so should have no issues with this trip. However, races keenly and that's to her considerable detriment as shown when left toiling behind Poetic Steps latest (1m4f).

Form: 5555

(8)

American Ruby^p1²⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 45

100/1

Showed no ability in four starts as a juvenile (three for previous trainer Mark Johnston), so kick starts her three-year-old season from a basement mark looking for the application of cheek-pieces/step up in trip to provide at least a spark.

Form: 6750-

Non-Runners

(3)

Queen Adelaide⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: J Ryan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Neverbeen To Paris (5/4), Braemar (5/2), Poetic Steps (9/2), Arthenia (15/2), Font Vert (14/1), Queen Adelaide (33/1), Royal Liberty (50/1), Pretty Moi (66/1), Surrender (100/1), American Ruby (100/1)

Mark Johnston took this contest in 2017 with La Vie En Rose, and having been responsible for a few of these horses as juveniles will no doubt be expecting a good run from his recent Musselburgh scorer Poetic Steps. However, she doesn't look half as strong as the improving pair Braemar and NEVERBEEN TO PARIS. The selection was a decisive winner at Beverley last week (1m2f), and turned out quickly under a 6lb penalty should be capable of following up.