15:20 Catterick

Saturday 1 January 2022

All12:2513:0013:3514:1514:4515:20

Racing Again 13th January Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 3m 54.85s

Ilaya^h,t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 105| D

9/1

Dual winner in 2019/20 who was possibly unsuited by conditions when a never-dangerous sixth at Newcastle in November. Down another 3 lb, so every chance she can make her presence felt down in grade.

Form: 5663-06

Captain Moirette^b1²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 105| BF| CD

16/1

Ended last season out of sorts and both efforts this term for new yard have hardly hinted a revival is imminent. Plenty to prove at present so hopes pinned on first-time blinkers.

Form: F355-58

El Jefe^h¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 103

10/3

Finally put it all together at Sedgefield last month, value for a bit more than the winning margin having conceded ground at the last 2 flights. Not in same form since so bounce back required.

Form: 64F415

Baltic Baron⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Coltherd| T: B Ellison| OR: 102WS

11/1

Fairly useful 1m winner on the level. Took a step forward on qualifying run when runner-up at Sedgefield in November and he rates a likely improver sent handicapping on the back of a wind operation.

Form: 562

Up With The Play¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Paddy Barlow⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 100

100/1

Fair maiden on the Flat. in Ireland. Placed on hurdle debut there in March but little impact under both codes since, struggling when falling 2 out at this track 18 days ago.

Form: 30-7F

Bestiarius²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: G Boanas| OR: 100| D

7/2

Fair hurdler who showed he retains ability despite jumping poorly when third at Hexham on belated reappearance. Built on that when runner-up at Newcastle next time so each-way claims upped 3 lb.

Form: U4/9F-32

Alright Marlene^t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Page Fuller| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 97WS

11/2

Remains a maiden, but she posted respectable fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Sedgefield on return. Not so good back there next time but is the type to bounce back quickly after a wind operation.

Form: 34P2-46

Get Phar²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: D Brooke| OR: 93

20/1

Placed 4 times in handicap hurdles at up to 25f for Eoin Griffin during the spring. Little encouragement dropped to this trip for current yard so best to look elsewhere.

Form: 3-32890

Jamil^t1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 85| C

28/1

Modest at best on the Flat and has offered little over hurdles in recent weeks. Tongue tied for handicap debut but percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 676

Shamrock Wine^h1⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 96

28/1

No great shakes on the Flat and while she stepped up on her hurdles debut when second at Sedgefield, her latest effort over C&D represented a step in the wrong direction. Hood on for handicap bow.

Form: 526

Comber Mill^h²⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny Burton⁽⁵⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 84| D

66/1

Not scored for over 2 years and efforts back in the spring offered little encouragement. Best watched on return from 9 months off the track.

Form: 420878-

Motahassen^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Alain Cawley| T: D Carroll| OR: 82

25/1

Modest Flat winner who is related to a winning hurdler, but he has cut little ice in a trio of starts in this sphere to date. Could be seen in a better light now handicapping.

Form: 086

Ex S'elance²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Thomas Dowson| T: V Thompson| OR: 82| C

11/2

Limited on the whole but both efforts for this yard have offered some encouragement, third of 14 at Newcastle (16.2f, good) 23 days ago. Could run into a place.

Form: 0158-33

Snowed In^p²⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: B Butterworth| OR: 75| CD

22/1

Veteran who is a 3-time C&D winner and scored at Sedgefield in May. Hasn't been threatening to add to his tally in recent starts, though and is out of the weights here.

Form: 085407

Forecasts

El Jefe (10/3), Bestiarius (7/2), Alright Marlene (11/2), Ex S'elance (11/2), Ilaya (9/1), Baltic Baron (11/1), Captain Moirette (16/1), Get Phar (20/1), Snowed In (22/1), Motahassen (25/1), Jamil (28/1), Shamrock Wine (28/1), Comber Mill (66/1), Up With The Play (100/1)

The vote goes to BALTIC BARON, who took a step forward on his qualifying run when runner-up at Sedgefield last time and Brian Ellison's charge rates a likely improver now sent handicapping on the back of a breathing operation. Ilaya lurks on a dangerous mark having been possibly unsuited by conditions at Newcastle 6 weeks ago so is feared most, ahead of Bestiarius and Alright Marlene.