Catterick, Plumpton and Wolverhampton

After the excellent racing over the weekend, it is back to modest sport today, with low level jump racing at Catterick and Plumpton and even lower level flat racing on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. The best horse on view today is probably Chamirey (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire), who appears to have little to beat in the novice chase over an extended 3 miles at 16.20 CET at Catterick. The handicap chase here over 2 miles 3 furlongs at 17.20 could go to Heavenly Chorus (Keith and James Reveley), who has won his last two races, both over shorter here, but also stays this trip. However she has gone up 18 lbs, so is no certainty, and we feel that Double Vodka (Chris Grant/ Denis O´Regan) can make life difficult for her.

There are small fields at Plumpton - 5 of the 7 races have 6 runners or less- but winners may still be hard to find, especially as the going will be very heavy. One who should certainly act on the ground is German-bred L´Homme de Nuit (Jim Best/ Andrew Thornton), who is a 3/4 brother to the mud-loving group winner La Boum. We therefore give him a sporting chance in the beginners chaase at 17.00, even though he faces opponents who are rated his superior. Keki Buku (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson), runner-up to the useful Qozak last time, looks the pick of them. Otherwise we are interested in Remember Now in the novice hurdle at 16.00; this half-brother to Champion Hurdler Binocular is Tony McCoy´s only ride of the day.

Easily the best race at Wolverhampton is the conditions event over 8 1/2 furlongs at 17.40. The progressive 4yo Norman Orpen (Jane Chapple-Hyam/ Jamie Spencer) has won his last 3 races, but meets stronger opposition now. The best form in the race is the second place of Fighter Boy (David Barron/ Phillip Makin) in a listed race at Newmarket last April; however he has not run since and may need the race. There is little between Lowther (Alan Bailey/ Jean-Pierre Guillambert) and Suits Me (Tom Tate/ Micky Fenton), who were separated by inches on their last start in a similar event at Kempton. This is a race to watch rather than to bet on, but, if forced to make a choice we would go for Suits Me