14:55 Catterick

Saturday 20 October 2018

All13:5014:2514:5515:3016:0516:4017:10

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Veterans' Handicap

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 1m 16.22s

(3)

Johnny Cavagin^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Robbie Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: Ronald Thompson| OR: 73| C| D

3/1

Without a win since July 2016 but 2-2 in Class 5 turf handicaps and nicely weighted on his most recent turf run. Will be better for a recent pipe opener at Wolverhampton so one to consider.

Form: 688-475

(5)

Handsome Dude^b⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D C Costello| T: T D Barron| OR: 72| D

16/1

Claims on his 2017 form but impossible to recommend on recent efforts which have justified a huge drop in the weights.

Form: 000000

(1)

Ninjago^v¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: P T Midgley| OR: 70| D

5/1

Not easy to win with nowadays with his last three successes coming in 2013,2015 and 2017. Well-handicapped but this is not an easy track to come from off the pace.

Form: 842304

(2)

Glen Moss^p1⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 68| D

9/2

Without a win since summer 2016 and no longer appears to hold the sort of ability that saw him take a conditions event when rated 102 that day. However, handicapper giving him a chance at this level. Acts on soft and cheekpieces added.

Form: 0/00400

(8)

Lucky Beggar¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 68| CD

9/1

Has put in some respectable efforts this season, but none that suggests that he is any more than an outside chance here.

Form: 633056

(10)

Royal Connoisseur⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 67| CD

5/1

Suited to a soft surface and goes well here. Remains on a feasible mark and hard to discount under a rider who is good value for his claim.

Form: 478182

(4)

Economic Crisis⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Nathan Evans| T: A Berry| OR: 67| D

40/1

Hit a purple patch in the summer but few signs lately that she is ready to cash in on a declining mark.

Form: 259666

(7)

Extrasolar^t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 66| CD

10/1

Has landed three races this year and has a good record at this venue. Would need the ground to dry out to have a realistic chance of adding to his tally.

Form: 151474

(6)

Vallarta¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 61| CD

10/1

Not the force but has still landed two races this term. Handles any terrain but best performances this year have come from lower marks in lesser company.

Form: 644145

Non-Runners

(9)

Seamster³

Weight: 8-12| Age: 11

T: D Loughnane J: Laura Coughlan

Forecasts

Johnny Cavagin (3/1), Glen Moss (9/2), Royal Connoisseur (5/1), Ninjago (5/1), Lucky Beggar (9/1), Vallarta (10/1), Extrasolar (10/1), Seamster (10/1), Handsome Dude (16/1), Economic Crisis (40/1)

In form ROYAL CONNOISSEUR has the ground he wants on a track he handles well and looks the one to follow in a tricky sprint handicap. Johnny Cavagin has a good record in this grade and is feared under topweight, whilst Ninjago and Glen Moss are well-handicapped but difficult to catch right nowadays. Should conditions dry out Extrasolar would have to enter calculations.