N.H. racing at Catterick and Plumpton

Donald McCain and Ferdy Murphy, both in good form, look the trainers to follow today at Catterick. They go head to head in the opening race at 15.20 CET, a 2 mile novice hurdle, with Empty Sky (McCain/ Jason Maguire/) and Mister Wall Street (Murphy/ Graham Lee). The latter, in receipt of 7 lbs, is the selection. The Murphy/ Lee team can also come out on top with Poker de Sivola in the novice chase over an extended 3 miles at 16.20.

He is still a maiden over fences but has run several good races in better company. German-bred Vforvictory (McCain/ Maguire) looks a promising young stayer and is the obvious danger, but Description and the unbeaten Passport Control are also not out of it. Murphy and Lee can complete a hat-trick with the consistent De Boitron in the handicap chase at 17.20; the top-weights Some Touch and Lease Lend have the best form here, but have gone up a lot in the weights, so course specialist Double Vodka (Chris Grant/ James Revely) looks the main danger. Best bet at Catterick is Oenologue (Alison Thorpe/ Richard Johnson); he was well backed when winning his first ever race a week ago at Fontwell and should be able to shrug off his penalty against this relatively weak opposition.

The main race at Plumpton is also a novice chase over an extended 3 miles at 16.00, which seems poor planning, and here there is also a small field. Giles Cross (Vic Dartnall/ Tom O´Brien) stayed on well at Chepstow last time to beat Mobaasher (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) and may be able to repeat this feat on 6 lbs worse terms. It could be the second leg of a double for the jockey, who also has good prospects on Mick Quinlan´s German-bred Evening Sunset in the 4yo hurdle at 15.00. He can hold Orzare (Gary Moore/ Philip Hide), who has a double penalty. Gary Moore should however still have a good day, as both Gee Dee Nen, with his son Josh aboard at 16.30, and Megasue (Hide) in the mares novice hurdle at 17.00 hold winning chances.