5.00pm Catterick Tips & Betting Preview 13/07/2016

A quick reappearance for one of our previous betting tips and one we’re tipping to make it two wins in two despite a rise in the weights. Read our race preview to find out who we think will take the 17:00 contest at Catterick Bridge.

IN SUMMARY: BROCKHOLES was an easy winner when tipped in our preview last time out and despite a 7lb hike by the handicapper we still think she can win again thanks to her allowance. Mershardal looks the main danger with conditions to suit and no raise in the weights despite being unlucky last time out.

1 Ustinov – Highly tried as a 2 year old including attempts at the July Stakes and Winkfield Stakes but was largely outclassed. Bounced back to form at the end of last season but ran poorly on reappearance last season and entitled on for this after 266 days off.

2 Best Trip – The oldest horse in the field by three years, has an excellent record at Catterick with 2 wins, 2 seconds and a third in just 8 starts. A winner 4 starts ago, is 1lb higher than his highest ever winning mark and while consistent likely to find one or two too good here.

3 Steelriver – Rated a full 10lb higher on the All Weather but still a maiden on the turf after 18 starts. Ran poorly in a tough race last time out over too short a distance. Step up in trip will help but record on turf is off putting.

4 Mishaal – Another rated significantly higher on the All Weather, this time 8lb. Runs off 80 here, which would give him a chance on his 2014 form. Ran well at a big price at Doncaster last time out as well as at Chester but last of 5 on only start on Good to Firm since 2013 and still looks too high in the weights for now.

5 Spirit Of Zeb – 4 wins from just 19 starts, although this mark is 5lb higher than any he has previously won off. Ran well to beat the well fancied Born Innocent last time out but that was at Hamilton where he never runs poorly and was only 6th on his last start at Catterick. If he can transfer that last time out form then would have an excellent chance and has an Each Way shout.

6 Manatee Bay – Has been steadily progressive through his career so far but hasn’t won in 13 starts and handicapper has only allowed a 2lb drop for that run. Consistently running well including at this course (third and second off 2lb lower in May/June) and place potential but others more likely for win purposes.

7 Meshardal – Rated 90 at this time last year but has struggled since with just a couple of decent runs and plenty of heavy defeats. Now runs off 77 and has been showing signs of a renaissance – unlucky last time out when hampered at a crucial time and third on unsuitably soft ground at Doncaster two weeks before that. Has a good record on Good to Firm and at this distance and looks a likely danger.

8 The Hooded Claw – One of the outsiders of the field, has been beaten big distances since sent off favourite in June last year. 7lb lower than that rating today and previously won at Chester on Soft off a mark of 80. Ran well at Doncaster last year over six furlongs on Good to Firm so conditions should suit but not one to put too much faith in.

9 Be Bold – Opening mark of 85 proved too much and didn’t manage a win until running off just 70 in a heavy ground handicap at Newbury. Has run well on Good to Firm but took a keen hold at this track last month and ended up well beaten at a big price. 3lb lower today but found things happening too quickly that day and would need them to go a breakneck speed up front to have a chance.

10 Brockholes – Has some excellent form lines from previous starts – not beaten far by Red Box (2nd in a Listed race) and was our tip last time out when staying on strongly over one furlong further at this course to beat a well backed favourite. A seven pound hike is fair as she was value for more than that (third place ran on Wednesday and finishing a close 2nd in a Class 4 at Wolves and fourth place was 3rd in a Class 3 at York last week) and should improve as that was only her 4th career start. Expect she’ll need every yard of this trip but ground won’t be a problem and she likes to be near the pace so won’t be giving them too much of a start.