4.20pm Catterick Tips & Betting Preview 30/08/2017

A field of nine go to post for the sixth race of the day at Catterick on Wednesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: State Residence produced a career best effort four days ago when winning a big field handicap at Redcar, but he’s drawn wide and has a penalty which should scupper his bid here. Preference is for Mick Easterby’s BOP IT, who is now eight pounds below his last winning mark and showed signs of revival on his latest start when second at Thirsk nine days ago. He remains on the same mark and should be very tough to beat if repeating that latest performance.

1 WILLBEME – Last win came way back in June 2014 and she’s not looked likely to break her duck this season for Simon West. Her mark continues to decline at a rapid rate, but she posted another poor display when only eighth at Doncaster in July and she’s only two pounds lower here. Clifford Lee shifts three pounds off her back but she remains very opposable at present.

2 BOP IT – Another who hasn’t won for a very long time but he’s slipped down the weights and is now eight pounds below his last winning mark. He showed clear signs of a return to form when second at Thirsk on his latest start only headed at the furlong pole and he remains on the same mark here. He is now back under professional handling and has conditions to suit, so he looks set to break his losing streak.

3 SPIRIT OF ZEBEDEE – Course and distance winner who is a better horse on the all weather for John Quinn, though he’s still capable on the grass surface. He was last seen at Thirsk when a far from disgraced second behind a runaway winner, though further improvement is needed and he needs to settle better to feature here. He has each way claims but hard to envisage him winning this.

4 STATE RESIDENCE – Produced a career best effort four days ago when winning a big field handicap at Redcar in August, making all in good style. A repeat of that performance would see him go close here but he does have to contend with a wide draw and has a penalty. The David O’Meara team remains in good form, as does rider Danny Tudhope and with conditions to suit, he should be on the premises.

5 BOLD SPIRIT – Won this race last year off a seven pound higher mark but he’s been mainly very disappointing since, well beaten on most of his starts this season for Declan Carroll. He was pitched into tougher company on his latest start and was always in the rear, but this drop in class does little to tempt on balance. Phil Dennis retains the ride and takes five pounds off his back but he remains opposable.

6 MALAYSIAN BOLEH – Best form tends to be on the all weather for Phil McEntee, with only one win from twenty-one starts on the turf. He has struggled on all four of his runs since being returned to the grass, last seen at Yarmouth where he was always towards the rear and only beat one rival. He is three pounds lower here but that does little to tempt and he’s likely to struggle once again until returned to the all weather.

7 LE LAITIER – Dual winner in 2014 but he hasn’t scored since for Scott Dixon, well beaten on all three of his starts this year. He weakened tamely when ridden on his latest start at Redcar and although he’s five pounds lower here, he is easily opposable as he doesn’t seem to be in love with the game anymore. Conditions will be fine but he’s best watched on this occasion.

8 SIX OF THE BEST – Five year old mare who has only run six times and she’s been well beaten on all six of those runs, with a sixth place at Beverley remaining her best run to date. Her mark has dropped a further five pounds after her latest heavy defeat at Thirsk and she’s very hard to recommend despite being on such a basement mark. Paul Hanagan is a good jockey booking but it’s best to look elsewhere.

9 POET’S TIME – Has been running respectably since being switched to handicaps by Tim Easterby, last seen at Ripon where he was third in a selling handicap three weeks ago. She is now two pounds lower and a return to firmer ground will be of little concern. That said, she’s up in grade here and she needs sizeable improvement for win purposes under Andrew Mullen. She can only be given an outside place chance as she could improve.