15:07 Catterick

Sunday 3 January 2021

All12:2712:5713:3014:0214:3515:0715:37

racingtv.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 7m 9.53s

Epsom Des Mottes^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: P A Kirby| OR: 99| BF

9/1

Easy all-the-way winner on his chase debut in 23f Newcastle novice handicap but ridden too aggressively when sixth of 12 at Ayr 34 days ago. Not easiest to catch right but could easily bounce back.

Form: 12P-U16

Furius De Ciergues^p,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R T Dunne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 92

9/2

Low-mileage chaser who has returned in excellent form, runner-up in 26f handicap at Doncaster last time. Another solid showing expected.

Form: P73-422

Derrick D'Anjou^p³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: J Bedi| OR: 91

10/1

Modest hurdler for Graeme McPherson who has taken well to chasing for new yard and stayed on strongly when second at Sedgefield last month. Worth considering.

Form: 176-442

Sigurd^b,t⁶^{(ex 7)}

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 81| CD

13/8

Modest chaser who produced his best effort for a while when landing a C&D handicap 6 days ago by 11 lengths. Not the most reliable type but excellent claims if in the same form.

Form: P4P-531

Purple Harry^t²⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 10-11| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 84

50/1

Ended last season out of sorts and pulled up at Hexham on reappearance, so makes very little appeal.

Form: 12/P5P-P

Spirit Of Hale^b1,t²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 82

10/1

Fair staying chaser when in the mood but yet to hit top form this season. Is at least becoming well handicapped.

Form: 813-05P

Classical Sound³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 76

12/1

Lightly raced in recent seasons and yet to win a race. Only fifth at Sedgefield on chasing debut and now faces another uphill task.

Form: 25/37-35

Ector^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 74| BF

12/1

Back over fences when excellent second of 15 in 25f handicap chase at Hereford but underlined inconsistency when pulled up at Ffos Las next time, so others make more appeal.

Form: 63P-92P

Rollerball Rocco^p⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss S L Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 71

6/1

Limited sort who wasn't disgraced when fourth at Hexham on comeback run but still looks up against it from out of the weights.

Form: 544P3-4

Non-Runners

Mackie Dee⁵⁴

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: R J Armson J: Philip Armson

Catlin⁴⁸

Weight: 10-5| Age: 6

T: N Kent J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Sigurd (13/8), Mackie Dee (3/1), Furius De Ciergues (9/2), Rollerball Rocco (6/1), Epsom Des Mottes (9/1), Spirit Of Hale (10/1), Catlin (10/1), Derrick D'Anjou (10/1), Classical Sound (12/1), Ector (12/1), Purple Harry (50/1)

SIGURD had plenty to spare when landing a C&D handicap chase 6 days ago and, although not certain to be in the same form, it's worth taking the chance that he can go in again under a penalty. Mackie Dee, another easy winner last time, is a reasonable alternative, while a case can also be made for the in-form Furius de Ciergues.