3.20pm Catterick Tips & Betting Preview 28/02/2017

The third of the day at Catterick is a middle distance handicap chase, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Fields Of Glory arrives on the hat-trick and has strong claims despite a penalty, but he may just find NOMOREBLACKJACK too much for him today. He stormed home on his latest start over shorter here behind Halcyon Days, but going back up in trip is likely to suit him much better today if judged upon his point to point form. He can easily reverse the form with that rival in this for Sue Smith with far more potential and with conditions to suit, he should run out the winner today under Danny Cook.

1 EDMUND – Winner off a 2lb lower mark at Sedgefield in May (2m 3f, Good to Firm) but he has largely struggled this season and has been pulled up the last twice, last seen when well beaten at the same venue three weeks ago (2m 5f, Soft). Lost his place rapidly after a mistake and the handicapper has somewhat given him a chance, dropping him 3lb in the ratings. Conditions are to suit and rider Ryan Day is good value for his 5lb claim at present, but shouldering 12st 5lb will be no easy task and others make far more appeal.

2 ATTIMO – Has been a mixed bag this season but did gain a hard fought win at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, jumping well and taking it comfortably in the end under today’s rider Jonathan England. Still 4lb above that mark and though he was poor on two subsequent runs, he got back on track when third at Wetherby a week ago, travelling well throughout but just losing out on the stamina front (3m Good to Soft). Drop back in trip looks a good move and on the same mark, he has to be considered a big threat for Sam England. Likely has a part to play and needs consideration.

3 FIELDS OF GLORY – Has been rapidly improving in recent times, winning at Musselburgh in January (2m 3f, Good) and despite a 3lb rise he made short work of his rivals at Market Rasen nine days ago (2m 3f, Soft). Remains on the same mark for today’s outing with 3lb claimer Alan Johns taking over, and with the form that Tim Vaughan’s yard are in at present, he’s more than likely to come out with another improved display. Has to be respected and the hat-trick could well be beckoning.

4 KILRONAN CASTLE – Posted a good effort three starts ago at Bangor when a close third behind an improver (2m 4f, Good to Soft) and he again posted another respectable effort when third to Attimo at Sedgefield on Boxing Day (2m 3f, Good to Soft). Jumped very poorly when posting a disappointing effort at Doncaster last month (2m 7f, Good), which does have to be of concern today. Will need to jump much better today, and if doing so he’d have to be in with a chance off a mark of 109, still 5lb lower than his mark over timber. Still early days over fences with four runs under his belt and he needs a second look in this. Interesting.

5 CACTUS VALLEY – Michael Easterby is another trainer in blistering form with four winners from his last fourteen runners, and his eight year old was far from disgraced on chasing debut when fourth in a novices’ chase over C&D last month. Starts off in handicaps on a mark of 106, the same as his hurdling mark, so there is certainly hope that better can be expected over these obstacles. He is likely to have gained a lot from that experience and with conditions to suit, he isn’t one to discount lightly. Lively place claims and another who needs close attention.

6 HALCYON DAYS – Has been in brilliant form this season with a record of 3121131 since October, and he gained his fourth win in a brilliant period over fences here three weeks ago (1m 7f, Soft). Raised 6lb which takes him to another career high, but he is now upped in trip in a bid to eek out further improvement. He seems a likely stayer looking at his previous form but he does clearly have something to prove, as although he was third over this distance at Sedgefield back in February 2016, he was beaten 18 lengths. He’s improved since then though so there is obvious hope that he will see this out strongly. Likely to be in there swinging and has to be respected as such for Rebecca Menzies and Tony Kelly.

7 NOMOREBLACKJACK – Lightly raced under rues and has only competed three times over fences, posting a career best on the third attempt when second here behind Halcyon Days two weeks ago (1m 7f, Std). Only beaten a neck that day after thundering home and meets that rival on 2lb better terms today, not to mention that this further trip is likely to suit him much better as a point to point winner. Sue Smith is continuing to have winners at present and this lightly raced six year old looks a very interesting candidate today with conditions to suit. Has to be respected with Danny Cook taking the ride and looks the most likely winner today.