15:40 Catterick

Wednesday 11 July 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4517:15

Lookers Volkswagen Handicap

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 1m 24.93s

(2)

Montague⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: C J McGovern⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 77| D

11/8

Back in good form again of late, winning a Wolverhampton claimer (6f, AW) and then making a good attempt to make all at Carlisle (7f, good to firm) last time. From the same mark today, he has claims.

Form: 200512

(4)

Iron Sky¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 76| C

5/1

6f winner here two starts ago, winning a maiden. Well held when below that level in a Chester novices' contest (7½f, good to firm) last time. Handicap mark stiff enough based on that, but not written off.

Form: 7-14

(5)

May Symphonic²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 70

16/1

Went close at Wetherby (7f, good to soft) in May in a novice event, but has been well held in both handicaps so far. Another 2lb drop today, but more needed.

Form: 64276

(9)

Finsbury Park³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 67| D

25/1

Won a Sandown novice contest (7f, good) on his second start, this time last year, for Robyn Brisland. Showed up well in a handicap from 11lb higher than this in August. Form since has nosedived, however, and he has plenty to prove.

Form: 375-077

(6)

Freebe Rocks¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: A Elliott| T: M L W Bell| OR: 64| D

12/1

Scored at both Kempton (1m) and Lingfield (7f) on All Weather in the winter, the latter from 4lb higher. Well held in both recent turf outings, and yet to make the frame on this surface, so is another with plenty to prove.

Form: 121007

(7)

Milton Road^t¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 63

15/2

Won four times in a busy juvenile campaign for Mick Channon, his best efforts being on Chelmsford's Polytrack. Has not produced anything approaching that in six starts for this trainer, but beginning to look well treated.

Form: 443585

(1)

Northern Law^v1¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 63

20/1

Best handicap run to date was his first in a Leicester nursery (7f, soft) in August. Well below that next time, then gelded, and no improvement for that in two further runs. Visor now fitted but lots to prove.

Form: 5439-00

(8)

Ghost^h¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 62

9/2

Won a 6f Newcastle handicap in March off a mark of 58. Remains 4lb higher after some near misses in her last couple of runs on turf (good to firm). Has a bit to prove trip-wise, but good claimer up and should go very well.

Form: 519223

(3)

Mafdet^b1,h1⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: B Smart| OR: 57

50/1

Best effort was her Thirsk debut (7f, good to soft) almost a year ago. Weakened over 1f out and beaten 14L on reappearance/handicap debut at Redcar (1m) in May. Drops in trip with headgear on. Not ruled out.

Form: 556-9

Non-Runners

(10)

Kirbec⁶

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: K Dalgleish J: A Mullen

Forecasts

Montague (11/8), Ghost (9/2), Iron Sky (5/1), Milton Road (15/2), Kirbec (8/1), Freebe Rocks (12/1), May Symphonic (16/1), Northern Law (20/1), Finsbury Park (25/1), Mafdet (50/1)

Montague should again be capable of having a big say here, with Freebe Rocks and Finsbury Park both well treated if able to return to peak form. Similar applies to Milton Road, though preference is for GHOST, who should be suited by this trip, is in good form and has a useful 3lb taken off her back. Mafdet is also considered in an open heat.