16:45 Catterick

Tuesday 7 August 2018

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:4517:15

Book Now For 22nd September Handicap

Off time: 16:48 | Winning time: 3m 30.5s

(8)

Final Choice^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Edward Greatrex| T: W Greatrex| OR: 60| D

3/1

Looks very well treated in this sphere based on his hurdling form having been an eye-catcher last time out on the AW when far from ideally placed in a slowly-run contest. Well worth keeping onside in a contest like this and high on the shortlist.

Form: 74221/2

(9)

Russian Royale^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob J Fitzpatrick⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 54| C| D

20/1

Not the most reliable but is a course winner and looks in a better humour of late winning at Hexham over hurdles on her last start in that discipline (ending a long losing run). Did little wrong here last time in a similar contest over 4f shorter.

Form: 6056R-2

(4)

St Andrews^b1¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 54| D

14/1

Blinkers go on for the first-time and he has won over this trip on the AW albeit off a lower mark. Fit from hurdling when returning on the Flat (AW) but fared poorly and looks best watched on this occasion.

Form: 821-528

(1)

Claramara²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 65| BF

7/2

Looks as though her progress has rather stalled on her last two starts after she won over 1m4f at Beverley prior to that. Now tried over considerably further in a bid to find some impetus again; trip may suit as she does looks a little one-paced.

Form: 036123

(3)

Druid's Diamond^b⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: M Walford| OR: 51| BF

9/2

0-19 is his Flat tally so far but he looked to have a race in him when running well in first-time blinkers on his last start. That race didn't work out for him (hampered at a vital stage); now given a stiffer test (should suit, looks in good heart.

Form: 474233

(5)

Adrakhan^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Andrew Breslin⁽⁷⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 45| D

40/1

Good claimer takes the ride but it may take more than that to end his losing run from just out of the handicap. Ran poorly last time out and even with a tongue-tie back on he's easy enough to oppose.

Form: 608938

(7)

Silver Gleam²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: M Stainton| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 45

20/1

Modest maiden handicapper (0-19) who has on occasions shaped better than the bare result but often finishes weakly. Did exactly that at Doncaster last time having led for a fair way and still needs to convince that he stays this trip.

Form: 4-74595

(2)

Monzino^p⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 8-9| J: D Fentiman| T: M C Chapman| OR: 45

250/1

Unreliable sort who has more than his fair share of temperament with a losing run that is now standing at 30 plus. Work to do to get anywhere near these and can't be trusted.

Form: 506690

(6)

The Knot Is Tied^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 51

5/2

Upped to 2m last time at Beverley he showed his first real form despite looking a rather difficult ride (first-time cheekpieces needed). Left on the same mark he's given a chance here if he can build on his last run; still unexposed.

Form: 8-74654

Forecasts

The Knot Is Tied (5/2), Final Choice (3/1), Claramara (7/2), Druid's Diamond (9/2), St Andrews (14/1), Russian Royale (20/1), Silver Gleam (20/1), Adrakhan (40/1), Monzino (250/1)

FINAL CHOICE last seen over hurdles off a mark of 120 which made his mark of 59 that he ran off returned to the Flat last time look rather lenient and although that race didn’t quite work out for him he’s given another chance to make amends here. The Knot Is Tied appeared to relish the trip last time despite looking a hard ride but he’s still unexposed at trips like this and could step forward again. Druid’s Diamond for all he hasn’t won yet did very little wrong last time and this trip will suit him better as it will Claramara who connections step up in trip in an effort to eke out some more progress.