Catterick, Leicester and Lingfield (a.w.)

Catterick has passed an early morning inspection, but the situation is less clear at Leicester, where a second inspection is to be held later. Should Leicester go ahead, we expect Caroline Bailey and Andrew Thornton to have a good day. They team up with Wherrimon, an easy CD winner last time, in the handicap chase at 15.50 CET, and German-bred Early Wings, who had top-weight in the handicap hurdle half an hour later.

Early Wings is dropping in grade here, and despite the presence of several in-form opponents, may be able to concede the weight. Wherrimon has Thedreamstillalive (Jim Old/ Timmy Murphy) to beat, who was runner-up here last time over shorter to Cesium (Tom George/ Sam Thomas), who reappears in the handicap chase at 17.50, so we should know what that form is worth. There are only 4 runners in the novice chase at 16.50. In theory Blazing Bailey (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) should win this easily, but he has not been as convincing over fences as he was over hurdles. However he gets weight from his principal opponents and it will be a surprise of he is beaten.

At Catterick, the most interesting event is the 2 mile handicap chase at 16.00. Desperate Dex (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) is lightly raced for a 10 yr old, and has only run twice in the last 20 months, winning both times. He must have a good chance off bottom weight here, but Carrietau (Ferdy Murtagh/ Ryan Mania) and Drever Route (Howard Johnson/ Denis O´Regan) look tough opponents; they met over this CD earlier this year, with the former coming out in top, but Drever Route may be able to revese the form on 3 lbs better terms. Good Old Thyme (Dr. Newland/ Giles Hawkins) is very consistent, and despite his poor strike rate and top-weight, he is taken to win the novice hurdle at 16.30.
At LIngfield, Mark Johnston can continue his winning run with Marius Maximus in the 3yo maiden at 15.40 and Temple Fair in the 3yo handicap at 17.10, both partnered by Joe Fanning. The 6 furlongs handicap at 16.40 looks very tricky, and all 6 runners have a chance. Richard Hannon brings back Lucky Redback (Fanning) after a break of 16 months, and if he is anywhere near his 2yo form, he can win this off his current rating.