3.35pm Catterick Tips & Betting Preview 10/10/2017

3.35pm Catterick tips for Tuesday’s Class 5 race. A field of 12 go to post for this hugely competitive six furlong handicap at Catterick, with the softer ground likely to make this a real test. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: SHORT WORK brushed off his rivals from the front at Redcar on his latest start with a dominant all the way performance and he can do the same again today. He’s only seven pounds higher which isn’t enough to stop him as he won by three lengths last time out; that could have been far more if Danny Tudhope had fully extended him. Geoff Potts is on the same mark as his latest third at Redcar and he won’t be far away for Richard Fahey, with Liberatum another place contender, despite his yard being badly out of form.

 1 COSMIC CHATTER – Won easily on softer ground at Pontefract back in August and he’s only two pounds higher here after three underwhelming efforts since. If bouncing back he’s an each way contender, but he doesn’t win often and that’s a concern.

2 FUJIN – Won two starts ago at Brighton, however he was well held off this mark at Bath when last seen. Softer surfaces are clearly far from ideal and, with a similar surface likely here, he’s best watched as he doesn’t win often on turf.

3 GILMER – Won off this mark at Ayr five starts ago, but he’s very much been below par since that victory, well held at Carlisle in softer ground last month. He was beaten out of sight and, with this race not much easier, he’s best watched.

4 SHORT WORK – Gained his third career victory when making all at Redcar on his last appearance, drawing right away inside the final furlong. A seven pound rise looks lenient on the back of that effort and, with conditions to suit, he’s going to be almost impossible to pass.

5 APRICOT SKY – Well handicapped on the best of his form, yet he’s failed to get his head in front since June 2016. He is a serial second place horse, but has been well beaten off on his last four runs so is passed over with confidence.

6 SEAMSTER – Ten-year-old veteran who got back to form with a third at Bath on his latest start, although he was still beaten three lengths. He’s now a pound below his last winning mark and has the same seven pound claimer on board, so does have each way possibilities.

7 SUITCASE ‘N’ TAXI – Prominent racer who goes well on softer ground, although he’s been well held since his win at Carlisle three starts ago. His draw today is far from ideal and, judging by how far he was beaten on his latest start, this mark is perhaps out of reach.

8 LIBERATUM – Has been running with credit of late for Ruth Carr, finishing third at Wolverhampton on his latest start when only headed late on. He’s on the same mark here and has a seven pound claimer onboard, so he is unlikely to be far away, despite the yard being out of form.

9 VALLARTA – Scored off this mark over course and distance in May, but he weakened disappointingly after having every chance at Newcastle when last seen. He goes on softer ground, but is difficult to recommend as he hardly looks like taking advantage of his current mark.

10 BERLIOS – Won off two pounds lower in March 2016, but he was well beaten on stable debut for the Bastiman yard, always in the rear. He’s only two pounds lower and his best form is all on the all-weather, so he can only be watched.

11 LOVE OASIS – Was in great heart back in the summer for Mark Johnston, but she’s found it tough going of late as her mark suffered for her good runs earlier in the season. Her mark continues to slide and she’s placed off five pounds higher, so she has definite claims at her best for an in-form yard.

12 GEOFF POTTS – Made a winning start for the Fahey yard three starts ago at Leicester and he was far from disgraced off this mark when third at Redcar last month. He’s on the same mark here and has similar ground, so has to be respected.