15:25 Catterick

Tuesday 6 August 2024

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Hugh James Handicap

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 3m 27.59s

(4)

Zephlyn^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 59| D

3/1

Dual scorer on all weather earlier this year, latterly at Southwell (16.4f) in March. 9/1, very good second of 7 in handicap at Musselburgh (16f, good to firm) 14 days ago, running on. Merits respect with a repeat.

Form: 221752

(5)

Myboymax^b,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Aiden Brookes⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 57| C

15/2

Comes here on a losing run but more encouraging signs from his much-reduced mark of late, creditable third of 7 in handicap at Musselburgh (16f, good to firm, 7/1) 14 days ago. Should go well again in present groove.

Form: 9-74023

(9)

Lord Torranaga^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Beasley| T: P A Kirby| OR: 57| BF| C

3/1

Latest win here (13.8f) in May and posted best effort since when second of 12 in C&D handicap 4 weeks ago, ridden 2f out and staying on. Goes well at this venue and he's another who needs considering.

Form: 531442

(1)

Max Of Stars³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 56| D

15/8

Lightly-raced maiden on Flat who has developed into a fair performer over hurdles, gaining fourth success at Market Rasen (16.5f) in September. Mixed bag in recent months but she appeals as being on a handy mark returned to this sphere.

Form: 7794-2

(7)

Baby Sham¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: George Downing| T: J W Mullins| OR: 53

14/1

Third of 7 in handicap at Salisbury (14.2f, good to firm, 33/1) 13 days ago, keeping on from 2f out having been outpaced early in the straight. Longer trip in her favour now on that evidence.

Form: 3120/43

(3)

The Resdev Way¹⁹³

Age: 11| Weight: 8-11| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 47| C| D

11/1

Veteran who made a bright start for new yard earlier this year, runner-up in handicaps at Wolverhampton/Lingfield in January. Absent since but those exploits confirmed he's up to defying this sort of mark and claims back on turf/following 6 months off.

Form: 7450-22

(6)

Robeam³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: Charlie Bennett| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 45| C| D

100/1

Course winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2021. Below form seventh of 13 in handicap hurdle (40/1) at Bangor (23.2f, good) 39 days ago. Poor on last Flat outing.

Form: 56007-7

(8)

Third Avenue^p⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Mark Winn⁽³⁾| T: A Crook| OR: 45

150/1

One win from 23 Flat runs. 66/1, offered little after 8 months off when last of 13 in handicap at Pontefract (17.1f, good) 57 days ago. Hard to warm to.

Form: 73479-0

(2)

Fast Deal²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: M C Chapman| OR: 45

150/1

Caused a major shock when successful over fences at Stratford (27.5f) in April. However, he remains a maiden in this sphere and well held in pair of handicaps at Ripon/Doncaster in recent months. Passed over.

Form: 89-8888

Forecasts

Max Of Stars (15/8), Zephlyn (3/1), Lord Torranaga (3/1), Myboymax (15/2), The Resdev Way (11/1), Baby Sham (14/1), Robeam (100/1), Fast Deal (150/1), Third Avenue (150/1)

ZEPHLYN arrives on the back of a good second at Musselburgh 2 weeks ago and a repeat should see him firmly in the mix once more. Veteran The Resdev Way is also worth a look back from an absence having twice run well on all weather earlier this year. Max of Stars is also worth a second look given she remains low-mileage on the Flat.