5.15pm Catterick Tips & Betting Preview 08/08/2017

A field of eleven go to post for the last race of the day at Catterick on Tuesday evening, see our betting tips and full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Jack Blane arrives in good form along with Cupid’s Arrow, so they should be on the premises, but this can go to LITTLE KINGDOM. She has been out of form of late but she’s now back down to a career low mark and a return to seven furlongs should make all the difference. Her latest run at Ripon suggested she needs it, with her pedigree also suggesting she should be happier back up in trip. Ben Curtis takes the ride and she looks set for a bold bid.

1 CUPID’S ARROW – Ruth Carr’s three year old looked better than ever on his latest start when winning over the six furlong trip here in July, winning by two lengths. He’s been raised four pounds as a result and he stays the seven furlong trip, so looks a strong contender under James Sullivan with conditions to suit. One to be respected and should be on the premises.

2 STUBYTUESDAY – Running well in the main in sprint handicaps for Mick Easterby, running another solid race to finish sixth at Ripon in July. He was never able to challenge after staying on too late and he is interested now upped to the seven furlong distance with Harrison Shaw taking off seven pounds. Softer ground still remains a question mark, but he looks an each way contender despite the trainer being cold at present.

3 TAGUR – Had things all his way when finishing third at Carlisle back in May and that remains his best effort for some while, well beaten on his last two runs for Kevin Ryan. He showed very little when weakening tamely at Ripon in July and although there is hope for better back up in trip, it is very easy to look elsewhere with how poor his last two runs have been. Tom Eaves remains in good form but he looks set for a minor role on this occasion.

4 KULGRI – Well beaten on all five of her starts for Kevin Ryan, failing to capitalise on a very low mark when well beaten at Catterick three weeks ago, brushed aside when the front pair moved on. She may be capable of better in time, but this isn’t a bad race for the grade and she looks set to struggle under Joe Doyle unless she improves markedly. Very hard to recommend on what we know so far.

5 NELLIE’S DANCER – Produced a career best when finishing second over this distance at Yarmouth in July, keeping on well to only be beaten by a head. She’s up three pounds as a result and this ground should be no problem, so there is no reason why she couldn’t go well for a place under David Allan, who remains in brilliant form. The cheekpieces are off which is something to note, but she has to be considered.

6 REGAL DECREE – In good form all year for Jedd O’Keeffe, finishing third on three of his last four starts for the trainer whose on the cold list at present. He finished third Redcar when last seen, keeping on strongly and he is only a pound higher. The problem however lies in the fact he was well beaten on his only start at good to soft, which is a big concern. Jack Garritty takes the ride but it’s not hard to look elsewhere.

7 LITTLE KINGDOM – Has only won once in her career for Tracy Waggott and although she has been out of form lately, she is back up in trip back down to a career low mark. She was outpaced when push came to shove at Ripon when last seen over the six and multiple other runs have suggested she could suit the step up in trip, with her pedigree also suggesting she needs a step up in trip (out of Royal Applause). Ben Curtis takes the ride and she looks set for a bold run.

8 REDROSEZORRO – Has a very mixed record in handicaps for Eric Alston, failing to back up a good third over course and distance when all but tailed off at Redcar when last seen in July. He is down a pound in the handicap and a repeat of his C&D run would see him in the hunt, but that is far from guaranteed under Neil Farley. Conditions will suit and he cannot be fully discounted, but he’s certainly risky.

9 JACK BLANE – Running to a reasonable effort for Daniel Kubler but posted a career best on his first start for Keith Dalgleish at Ayr eight day ago, narrowly beaten in second. He remains on the same mark and he clearly appreciates this softer surface, so there is no reason why he shouldn’t go well again with Joe Fanning taking the ride. Likely to be on the premises and should be considered.

10 KELPIE SPIRIT – Seems to be best on a sounder surface, as proven by his latest well beaten run on good to soft ground at Thirsk two weeks ago. He is now three pounds lower and would have a chance on his peak seven furlong form, but he’s still a maiden and that is for a reason. Phil Dennis takes off five pounds and he’s best watched again with the ground against him.

11 PONTECARLO BOY – Made a somewhat pleasing reappearance here back in April, but he’s been well beaten in three subsequent runs and it’s almost impossible to fancy him on that basis. He was all but tailed off when always in the rear at Doncaster back in June, so is best watched again.