Catterick + 3 a.w. meetings

there is some decent N.H. racing at Catterick today, plus 3 very low-level all-weather meetings at Lingfield and Wolverhampton on the afternoon and Kempton in the evening. Frankly, we find these a.w. meetings very boring. consisting mainly of poor handicaps with runners who race every week with differing results, so we shall give them a swerve and concentrate on Catterick and Meydan (next story).
Main event at Catterick is the North Yorkshire Gramd National over 3 3/4 miles at 15.15 CET which looks very competitive. Posh Bird (Peter Niven/ Barry Hughes) won this last year, but is up a lot in the weights and this renewal seems much stronger. Pentiffic (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), from a stable in top form, is the likely favourite after an easy win at Muisselburgh last week; however that was over 3 miles and he has never run beyond that trip, so there must be a question mark here. Desperate Dex (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) is in good form, but this race looks much tougher. Lord Villez (Ferdy Murphy/ Denis O´Regan) is nicely handicapped now, but his stable is out of form, otherwise he would be the selection. As it is, our 3 against the field are Trevor Hemmings´ two runners Lively Baron (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) and King Fontaine (Malcom Jefferson/ Harry Haynes), and Leac An Scail (Jodie Foster/ Samantha Drake), who is very consistent and is ridden by a very pr omising claimer. King Fontaine carries the second colours and his form does not read well, but he was third in the Scottish Grand National (a much better race) last April and a repetition of that form would give him an excellent chance here.
Owner Trevor Hemmings could be in for a good day, as we also expect Vintage Star (Sue Smith/ Ryan Mania) to win the novice chase at 14.10 - he looks much more likely to stay the 3 miles trip than his main market rival Court in Session- and also has a good chance in the novice handicap chase at 16.15 with the same team´s Highrate.
Despite a penalty, Cockney Sparrow (John Quinn/ Dougie Costello) looks a good thing to win the opening 4yo hurdle for fillies, but the novice hurdle at 5.45 looks much more open. John Ferguson is always to be feared in such events and his Sea Lord (Denis O´Regan) was the best of these on the flat, well up to group class; but he was a miler and bred like one as well and is not certain to stay N.H. distances. Las Verglas Star (Richard Fahey/Brian Hughes) and Life and Soul (McCain/ Maguire) were also decent on the flat, though not up to Sea Lord´s class, but they are more stoutly bred, especially the latter who is out of a Platini mare, and they are preferred.

Betting forecast Catterick:
1. Race: Cockney Sparrow - Scarlett Fever - Miss Conduct
2. Race: Court In Session - Vintage Star - King`S Grace
3. Race: The Fox`S Decree - Funky Munky - Patavium
4. Race: Pentiffic - Lively Baron - Night In Milan
5. Race: Sea Lord - Life And Soul - Only Orsenfoolsies
6. Race: Brave Spartacus - Highrate - Lucky Sunny
7. Race: Vinstar - Tough Trade - Ivan Boru