14:20 Catterick

Tuesday 27 February 2024

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

Racing To School Female Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 54.1s

Could Be Trouble^b,t⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 105

15/2

Hurdles/chase winner who was placed on first 3 starts of this season, including when second in a 7-runner 25.3f handicap hurdle here in November. Below par last time but can be excused that (race may have come too soon) and she's a live each-way candidate.

Form: 5-53234

Zwicky²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 102| BF

6/1

Perfect start to this season, bagging back-to-back handicaps at Sedgefield and Carlisle before finishing a solid third of 15 off this mark at Doncaster. Ran no sort of a race tried over 3m last time but likely to be in the thick of things if on-song back down in trip here.

Form: 3-1133P

Gustoso⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 102

13/2

Well beaten sole outing in bumpers but did offer promise on second of 3 starts in maiden/novice company when fourth at Wetherby in November. However, latest effort at Ludlow was uninspiring and sizeable step forward needed now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 464P

Out Of Focus²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 101| BF

85/40

Bumper winner who has finished in the money on each of is 3 starts since switched to handicaps, most recently finishing third at Chepstow (19.4f, heavy) where he weakened in the closing stages after holding every chance 2 out. This sharper track may well aid his cause.

Form: 285233

The Vollan^p³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss Ellie Callwood⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 100

22/1

Veteran who was safely held on his first run over hurdles for the best part of 2 years at Newcastle in January.

Form: 33P354

Bridgetjoans^v1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 92

28/1

Showed a bit in 3 qualifying runs before Christmas but she's hard to warm to based on her handicap debut display at Newcastle. Visor applied.

Form: 3-P457

Lifetime Legend¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Ms Laura Ward⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 89| CD

15/2

Below par since winning this race 12 months ago but he's been given a real chance by the handicapper (11 lb lower in the weights this time round) and perhaps the return to this venue will do the trick. Needs considering.

Form: 633057

Belle Na Bann^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 85| C

15/2

Dual winner for Neil Mulholland in summer 2022 and back on track for Micky Hammond when scoring at Newcastle in December and over 15.7f here on New Year's Day. Below par last time but she's on a similar mark to that off which she was runner-up in this race last year, so there's cause for optimism.

Form: 695114

Misty Mani³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Miss Pippa Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Niven| OR: 81| D

14/1

Won 3 on the bounce in 2022 and returned to form following a string of underwhelming efforts when going close at Market Rasen in September then finishing third over this C&D. Lesser effort last time, though, and should could do with the ground drying out.

Form: P70235

Rouse²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 81

50/1

Only poor form in bumpers and has made little impact both completed starts over hurdles so far. Needs to raise his game considerably now venturing into handicap company.

Form: 853F-78

Feach Amach³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss Ella Herbison⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 90

12/1

Fair maiden on the Flat for Jim Bolger and improved plenty on opening hurdles exploits when landing a Sedgefield juvenile in November. Hasn't built on that in 2 subsequent starts, though, and others make more appeal.

Form: 5P1P3

Non-Runners

Molto Bene¹

Weight: 12-5| Age: 5

T: C E Longsdon J: Lily Pinchin

Journey West¹³

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: M Young J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Out Of Focus (85/40), Molto Bene (9/2), Zwicky (6/1), Gustoso (13/2), Could Be Trouble (15/2), Lifetime Legend (15/2), Belle Na Bann (15/2), Feach Amach (12/1), Misty Mani (14/1), The Vollan (22/1), Bridgetjoans (28/1), Rouse (50/1), Journey West (66/1)

It could be worth chancing LIFETIME LEGEND, who hasn't been firing on all cylinders of late but he's now 11 lb below the mark off which he beat Belle Na Bann in convincing fashion in this race last season. Zwicky needs to bounce back following a shocker at Southwell but he was in good order prior to that and is second choice ahead of Out of Focus and Misty Mani. If Molto Bene were to line up she would warrant serious consideration but she is due to run at Plumpton on Monday.