4.45pm Catterick Tips & Betting Preview 11/05/2017

This is a veterans’ Handicap over 6 furlongs, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: It could pay to take on the front of the market here with EXTRASOLAR. His last run is starting to work out well from a form point of view and he’s finally back down to a workable mark and he could just outclass these. The biggest danger could be Meshardal who is tried in cheekpieces for the first time today which could well eek out that extra bit of improvement to finally see him get his head in front.

1 BEST TRIP – Majorie Fife’s runner has been disappointing in two runs this year having been beaten out of sight on both occasions. The handicapper has quickly dropped him 5lbs to a mark of 75 which obviously helps and that sees him drop down into Class 5 company which should allow him to be more competitive today. His last victory came over today’s C&D on this ground so he’s not completely without a chance. Others make more appeal though.

2 SECRET MISSILE – Another to have disappointed this year with two comfortable defeats in Class 4 handicaps on the sand and turf. He races off a 4lb lower mark than when last seen and this drop in grade will certainly see him to better effect although he’s clearly gone off the boil and his profile looks quite regressive. He may need to slip slightly further down the weights before entering the winners enclosure again and is opposed here.

3 VALLARTA – Ruth Carr has a leading strike rate of today’s trainers at Catterick (15%) and her runner arrives here in fair form. He’s finished third on his last three starts which has shown consistency, but the handicapper clearly knows he has him on the right mark and he remains on 72 today. The return to turf will certainly improve him but his jockey James Sullivan gets off to ride his stablemate which looks significant here.

4 EXTRASOLAR – Finished eighth at Redcar last month but that form has turned out to be relatively useful with subsequent winners in the race. He’s been dropped a pound for that effort which will certainly aid his cause and he is certainly falling to a threatening mark although he has been held in similar company to this of late. He’s without a win since 2015 but he’s finally back down to a workable mark and is of interest here.

5 MEANDMYSHADOW – Makes her 107th career start today and she’s still running well at the grand age of 9. She finished third, beaten 2 1/4 lengths at Doncaster last month and the handicapper has dropped her a pound which leaves her just 1lb higher than her last winning mark. There was plenty of support for her at Doncaster having been sent off the 4/1 favourite and Ben Curtis keeps the partnership intact for a trainer that has sent out 3 winners from 21 runners here. Respected.

6 PUSHKIN MUSEUM – Has shown some improved form since switched to the Patrick Morris stable having recorded a double over 6 furlongs at Wolverhampton earlier this year. He’s steadily risen through the weights and is now back up to a mark of 68 which he was beaten off last summer in similar events to todays. Graham Lee is back aboard and he should run well here although he will need to carry his form over to the turf.

7 WILLBEME – Beaten half a length at Thirsk last month to finish second off a one pound lower mark. That was a small surprise given she’s shown limited form over the winter and she is without a success since June 2014 off a 14lb higher mark. She’s clearly been regressive but she showed herself to be on form last month and she should be dangerous here. Raymond Dawson claims 7lbs which will certainly help but her trainer is without a winner from 11 runners here.

8 MESHARDAL – Finished behind Extrasolar at Redcar last month but there are reasons to believe he can turn the form around today. He’s been dropped one pound for that run and he will be better suited to this smaller field off what is evidently a fair mark having placed on the All-Weather this winter. James Sullivan chooses him over his stablemate and connections apply the first time cheekpieces so he could be primed for a big run here.

9 WINDFORPOWER – Couldn’t follow up two good efforts at Beverley last time out when ninth of twelve, beaten 4 lengths. He’s found life slightly tougher since being upped in the weights following a success off a mark of 59 and he’s kept in Class 5 company today which may just find him out again. Connor Beasley takes over from Ben Curtis and the stable have only sent out 6 winners from 107 runners here so others make more appeal.