16:10 Catterick

Tuesday 3 September 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4017:1017:40

racingtv.com Veterans' Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 13.13s

(5)

Gin In The Inn²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77| D

8/1

Not seen at this level since winning a 6f Redcar handicap over two years ago; plying his trade at a much higher level since then. Yet to win this year (run poorly the last twice); this is easier though and may well spring him back to life.

Form: 503066

(8)

Orion's Bow^p,t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76| CD

11/1

C&D winner (smart performer at his peak); ended a long losing run when winning at Hamilton in July (5f, soft) beating three rivals. Hasn't quite repeated that performance in three starts since (highly tried last time); gets an easier task now.

Form: 001030

(3)

Alsvinder^p1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: P A Kirby| OR: 75| C| D

16/1

Three-time winner on the AW early this year over 6f; hasn't been able to replicate that form on turf since having wind surgery bar one creditable run over 5f here. Cheekpieces now on first-time back at 6f; handily weighted if he can find his AW form.

Form: 900920

(10)

Highland Acclaim^p1⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 74| D

8/1

Two AW wins to his name earlier in the year (6f/7f) this sometimes tricky customer is equally adept on turf; yet to score this year though. Consistent for the most part on turf in 2019; back to form last time, now in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 043383

(1)

Zylan^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 71| D

7/1

Form since winning on his favoured Fibresand surface in February has been rather up and down, the up coming a couple of starts ago over 7f here (just touched off). Down on his last two starts though, looking out of sorts at Southwell last time.

Form: 464267

(4)

Final Frontier¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: J Garritty| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 68| D

9/4

Took advantage of a falling mark with the blinkers removed last time to record his first win since 2yo days at Leicester (6f, good). Suited by the way that race developed (won't always get this lucky); up 6lb kept to sprinting, this will test more.

Form: 9-84561

(9)

Adam's Ale^p¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 8-11| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 65| D

40/1

Twice run in sellers this year (made his season reappearance in one) he's failed to fire at all his year and looks out of sorts. The joint eldest in this field his prospects of regaining his sparkle don't look bright based on his recent form; others

Form: 90-5707

(6)

Indian Pursuit^v⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 63| BF| CD

13/2

Hard to fault his C&D form (five-time winner) although the majority of his form has come in a slightly lower grade; faces some smart rivals for this class. Had been in good heart, last three runs have been well below-par, needs other to falter.

Form: 423548

(7)

B Fifty Two^p,t⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 8-8| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 62| CD

11/2

Ended a huge losing run when scoring over C&D last month (had run just the day before). That victory has sparked a run of consistency that he's never found before (placed four times since his win); meets better quality opposition now, tough test.

Form: 812322

(2)

Extrasolar^t⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: G A Harker| OR: 57| CD

22/1

Went ages without a win before recording three wins from six runs (two over C&D) in a purple patch last year. Five of his seven starts have come here this year; yet to regain the form he showed last year despite falling below his last winning mark.

Form: 824398

Forecasts

Final Frontier (9/4), B Fifty Two (11/2), Indian Pursuit (13/2), Zylan (7/1), Gin In The Inn (8/1), Highland Acclaim (8/1), Orion's Bow (11/1), Alsvinder (16/1), Extrasolar (22/1), Adam's Ale (40/1)

These veterans’ events often give horses that have been banging their heads against the wall in better class races often versus better handicapped sorts a chance to get back on the winning trail. It usually pays to concentrate on those at the lower end of the age scale and with the 6yo GIN IN THE INN descending to this 0-75 level for the first time in over two years he’s taken to pick up the winning thread in more relaxed company. Final Frontier appeared to enjoy the return to sprinting last time and if he gets a similarly run contest his at the right end of the age scale also. Highland Acclaim faces an awkward draw but he along with B Fifty Two are also worth noting.