17:10 Catterick

Tuesday 3 September 2019

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

2019 Catterick Twelve Furlong Series Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 2m 39.02s

(6)

Betty Grable⁵^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Rhona Pindar⁽⁷⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 56

11/4

Hard to fault her form this year (12112221) with her last three wins coming under today's pilot. Proved better than ever when winning her latest start especially as she wasn't given the most efficient ride; 0-3 beyond 1m1f so stamina to prove.

Form: 112221

(1)

Tommy Hallinan¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 60

7/2

Returned to the Flat after a disappointing spell hurdling with Paul Nicholls, had some fair Flat form in Ireland prior to that. Failed to beat a rival in three Flat starts for Marjorie Fife, back on track via a wind op last time; worthy of respect.

Form: 31/6802

(3)

Iolani^p,h,t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: P Mulrennan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 58

7/1

Capable hurdler who has slipped to a fair mark on the Flat; ran poorly (slowly away) last time without the multiple headgear combination worn for his three hurdling wins. That combination worn now; interesting if there are strong market vibes.

Form: 034540

(2)

Flower Power^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 57| CD

16/1

Dual course winner including over this trip at the backend of last year. Not in the same form this year (has flirted at a revival a couple of times) but continues to fall in the weights without taking advantage; well beaten over hurdles recently.

Form: 566338

(9)

Albert Boy⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 55| D

14/1

Usually races prominently but looks to have totally lost his way of late and hard to say he's showing anything like signs of a revival. Back on the AW (Fibresand) last time (has little form on that surface), turned in a dismal display, best watched.

Form: 237075

(7)

Spark Of War^b²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Shane Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 55

4/1

Not one for maximum faith but ran better in first-time blinkers last time over C&D only giving best to a well handicapped rival who got a well-judged ride. Rated 10lb higher at the start of the year a repeat performance sees him on the premises.

Form: 083562

(5)

Point Of Honour^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Harrison Shaw⁽³⁾| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 45

5/1

Still to win a race (0-14) but looked a better model on his first start for this yard (cheekpieces fitted) having left Ruth Carr. Having said that his Beverley third only came in selling handicap company; needs a greater test of stamina ideally.

Form: 959483

(8)

Strategic^h¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Rachel Richardson| T: E J Alston| OR: 45| D

28/1

Had fallen in the weights to such an extent he couldn't go any further when taking a Musselburgh handicap over this trip. That victory hasn't proved a stepping stone to better form with his subsequent two starts being well below that level.

Form: 0-97100

Non-Runners

(4)

Lincoln Tale¹²

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: D O'Meara J: D Tudhope

Forecasts

Betty Grable (11/4), Tommy Hallinan (7/2), Spark Of War (4/1), Point Of Honour (5/1), Lincoln Tale (5/1), Iolani (7/1), Albert Boy (14/1), Flower Power (16/1), Strategic (28/1)

The main question here will can Betty Grable add another victory to her already outstanding 5yo season over a trip that she’s not certain to stay under a 5lb penalty for her recent Carlisle win which takes her to a career-high mark. Others aren’t in such good form but there are one or two who will see this trip out better and SPARK OF FAITH has fallen to a decent mark having run into a thriving winner last time, if the blinkers work as well again his undoubted stamina may seal the deal. Tommy Hallinan, Lincoln Tale and Iolani with his usual eclectic headgear combination worn again can all get involved.