16:00 Catterick

Monday 19 August 2019

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:35

Watch Racing TV Now Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 1m 30.20s

(10)

Hitman¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 60| D

16/1

Has won three times over this distance but his form this season has been poor, including latest where he was sixth of 11 over 1m1½f at Nottingham. Back down in trip and has been eased 3lb. Has to be respected off this mark.

Form: 8-00076

(13)

Mr Sundowner²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Herrington| OR: 59| C| D

16/1

Versatile gelding who has won at trips ranging from 7f up to 1m4f. Bidding for his first win since September 2017. Was sixth of 10 last time at Redcar (1m1f) in what was his first run for his new yard. Down in distance but has to improve.

Form: 78686-6

(15)

Fard^b1⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 55

18/1

Remains a maiden after 20 starts. Went close over this distance at Carlisle earlier this year but could only finish fifth of eight on his latest run at Beverley (7½f). Blinkers on for the first time and down to a career low mark. Each-way claims.

Form: 427665

(12)

Radjash^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 54| BF

5/1

Still a maiden after 12 runs but his last two performances suggest opening victory is not far away. He was only a short-head away last time at Thirsk (6f) when second of nine. Steps up in trip slightly. One for shortlist.

Form: 000-522

(5)

Tarnhelm¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁷⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 54

22/1

Was on for a hat-trick bid earlier this season following back-to-back wins at Carlisle over 6f. Since then though, her form has declined. She was ninth of 14 last time at Newcastle (6f) on the AW. Up in trip here. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 611049

(4)

Chaplin Bay⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 53| D

11/1

Ended a long losing run last time at Ayr on heavy ground over this distance. Gone up 3lb for that latest success. Capable of following it up if he builds on his previous outing. Worth considering.

Form: 087501

(11)

Kings Academy^v³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J Quinn| T: J Mackie| OR: 53

40/1

His sole success in 22 starts came at Leicester over 5f. Has really struggled this season so far. Did not beat a horse in an eight runner field at Nottingham (1m½f) last time. Has been eased 4lb but it may not be enough to see him in the mix.

Form: 660-008

(9)

Billy Wedge²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Connor Beasley| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 52

6/1

Was second of 12 at Thirsk (7f) two starts back, beaten by only ½L. Didn't build upon that last time at Wolverhampton (1m) on the AW as he could only finish 10th of 13. Capable of breaking his maiden off this mark.

Form: 09-0820

(1)

Searanger⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: C Lee| T: R Menzies| OR: 51| C

8/1

His form has improved a little bit recently but he is still looking for his first win of the year. Was fourth of 15 last time at Carlisle (1m, heavy). Down in trip but remains capable off this mark. Each-way chance.

Form: 900564

(2)

Sophia Maria^p¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: J D Bethell| OR: 55

18/1

Still looking for her first win after nine runs. Was much better here last time when fifth of 11, beaten 3½L over 6f where the cheekpieces seemed to help. Has been eased 2lb and is up in trip. One to watch.

Form: 300095

(6)

Perfect Swiss¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 55| BF

9/2

Remains a maiden after 12 starts, however, he has come close on a number of occasions this season, including on latest start where he finished second of 16, beaten a nose. Has gone up 1lb. Big chance of picking up opening win.

Form: 420322

(8)

Billiebrookedit⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: K Frost| OR: 46

11/1

Was second of 17 on opening run for his new yard at Chepstow (6f) two starts back. Could only finish sixth of 14 last time Lingfield (7f) on the AW. Still needs to prove himself over this distance. Others preferred.

Form: 00-0926

(7)

Mightaswellsmile¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Aled Beech⁽⁷⁾| T: R E Barr| OR: 46

16/1

Has just the one win in 17 starts. Produced one of her best runs of the season last time at this track over 6f when she was second of 11, beaten 1¼L. Needs to prove her stamina over 7f. One to watch.

Form: 004282

(3)

Vicky Cristina³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: R Ffrench| T: J R Holt| OR: 45

40/1

Still looking for her opening success after 18 starts. She has been well held on all three of her runs this season, including latest at Nottingham (6f) when sixth of 14. Has been eased 3lb and up in trip but others appeal more.

Form: 436-896

(14)

De Latour¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: J Ward| OR: 45

66/1

Has had 11 attempts to get off the mark but he has been unable to do so so far. He dropped down to 5f last time at Ripon where he finished fifth of seven. Has been eased 3lb on his return to 7f. Difficult to fancy.

Form: 845905

Forecasts

Perfect Swiss (9/2), Radjash (5/1), Billy Wedge (6/1), Searanger (8/1), Chaplin Bay (11/1), Billiebrookedit (11/1), Hitman (16/1), Mightaswellsmile (16/1), Mr Sundowner (16/1), Sophia Maria (18/1), Fard (18/1), Tarnhelm (22/1), Vicky Cristina (40/1), Kings Academy (40/1), De Latour (66/1)

PERFECT SWISS has done very little wrong in his last three starts and is very unlucky to still be a maiden. This slight step up in trip may just be enough to help him get that opening success which he deserves for his consistent performances. Radjash is likely to be ridden patiently once again and should run on for second place for the third consecutive race, while Billy Wedge was second at Thirsk off this mark so has to be respected here on his return to turf.