17:00 Catterick

Tuesday 25 February 2025

All14:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Racing Again 5th March Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 6m 33.1s

Clondaw Royale³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110

5/1

Resumed winning ways at Haydock in December before recording a solid fourth of 11 in handicap hurdle there (21.2f, soft) 38 days ago. Can make his presence felt again off the same mark.

Form: 4PP714

Velasco^t,p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 108

22/1

Had a wind op before a below-par fifth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (23.1f, good to soft) 21 days ago. More is needed despite a slipping mark.

Form: 1-4S645

Townhill^t,p¹⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 108| D

22/1

Bagged three staying handicap hurdle wins in the first half of last year but he needs to shrug off lesser efforts the last three times. Others appeal more.

Form: 41-1P9P

Grove Road^v¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 107| D

12/1

Scored over hurdles at Huntingdon in November but he came in last of 6 at Plumpton (25f, soft) 15 days ago when unsuited by way race developed. Remains one to consider.

Form: 114236

Final Edgar^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonathan England| T: M Walford| OR: 105

8/1

Back on track when second over 19.3f here in January but only sixth in similar event here 15 days ago. Cheekpieces refitted over this much longer trip. Not dismissed.

Form: 3-6P626

Asa^p⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 95| CD

13/8

Thriving over fences and hurdles of late and she easily bagged a third success since Boxing Day in 3m Southwell handicap hurdle 8 days ago. This C&D scorer holds leading claims under a 7 lb penalty.

Form: 5P1211

Romeo Brown¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 99

12/1

A long time without a win and this veteran hasn't fired yet this season, finishing a well-held fourth over 2m3f here last time. Has his stamina to prove too.

Form: P-77754

Forest Blaze³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 96| BF

4/1

Opened his account at Hexham in December and backed it up with a good third of 16 in handicap hurdle at Wetherby (19.7f, heavy) 33 days ago when needing a stiffer test. Very much one to consider over this longer distance.

Form: 0-59313

King Casey⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 95

100/1

Lightly-raced ex-Irish maiden hurdler who was pulled up in novice here (19.3f, good to soft) 55 days ago. Goes into handicaps now with this much longer trip a likely plus though so possibilities.

Form: 73-5P

Bollin Neil^t,p⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr William Easterby⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 94| CD

40/1

A Flat/C&D hurdles winner but hasn't looked the force of old since returning from a long absence in September. Hard to warm to.

Form: P512/0P

Rumble B²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-3| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: Justin Landy| OR: 85

10/1

Arrives in decent nick without winning, third of 12 in handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (27f, soft) 20 days ago. One for the shortlist off an easing mark.

Form: 137633

Forecasts

Asa (13/8), Forest Blaze (4/1), Clondaw Royale (5/1), Final Edgar (8/1), Rumble B (10/1), Grove Road (12/1), Romeo Brown (12/1), Velasco (22/1), Townhill (22/1), Bollin Neil (40/1), King Casey (100/1)

ASA is going from strength to strength and hard to oppose under a 7 lb penalty for her recent easy Southwell victory. Forest Blaze could emerge as the main danger to Philip Kirby's thriving mare now his stamina is unlocked more with Clondaw Royale, Grove Road and King Casey in the picture for minor honours.