2.10pm Catterick Tips & Betting Preview 28/12/2016

6 novice chasers go to post for the 5th race of the day on Catterick’s Wednesday Card, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Preference is for the lightly raced NINE ALTARS, who ran respectably on his latest chase start at Sedgefield and this return to softer will be a big plus for him. He should be capable of much better on only his ninth start under rules and his 3rd chase start and demands respect for the Ann Hamilton yard. The main danger should be Thankyou Very Much who is on a hat-trick but is burdened with another 7lb rise makes her task harder today.

1 THE HERDS GARDEN – 0-13 over fences so far but got very close to breaking his maiden when 2nd at Carlisle behind a useful sort back in October (1m 7f, Good). Has been nowhere near as good in two runs since however and others make more appeal.

2 VIRNON – Only twice raced over fences thus far, unseating his rider on first attempt at Sedgefield (2m, Soft) but jumped better when 2nd at Hexham earlier this month (1m7f, Heavy). Would probably prefer the ground softer than it is currently but still has room for improvement and the Alan Swinbank team are going well at present, so deserves a second look under Paul Moloney.

3 DEEP RESOLVE – Lightly raced over hurdles and not seen over those obstacles for 388 days, winning twice over them in 2014. Makes his chase debut today and will need to step up to make an impact, looking as though he’s also the stable second string for Alan Swinbank with Callum Bewley claiming 3lb on board. Could have place claims if bettering his hurdling form.

4 NINE ALTARS – Very lightly raced 7 year old whose had two attempts over fences, finishing 44 lengths behind the winner on debut at Cartmel in May but did improve when not disgraced at Sedgefield back in October (2m, Good). Should appreciate this softer ground today and if building upon that latest effort he needs to be respected, as he should be capable of much better.

5 CHRISTMAS TWENTY – Posted some decent hurdles form earlier this year but didn’t manage to get a win and switches to chasing with a record of 0-9 under rules. May well do better yet over fences and is one of the more interesting types, so if fully revved up on chase debut he could be a lively danger for the Micky Hammond yard.

6 THANKYOU VERY MUCH – Has been running consistently well over fences in her four runs to date, placing twice in her first two runs before dismissing her rivals easily at Musselburgh and then Leicester earlier this month (2m, Firm). The softer ground isn’t too much of a worry as she’s reasonably versatile in that respect and has the very much still in form Brian Hughes to do the steering, so needs to be given lots of respect in her bid for a hat trick.