1.50pm Catterick Tips & Betting Preview 30/08/2017

A field of 10 go to post in this Class 5 novice stakes raced over 5f. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Cool Spirit sets the standard in this contest, but he regressed from first start to second so 4/9 looks a very short price to be taking. Ghost has run well to a point in both races so far, but the vote goes to CAT BALLOU. She was heavily supported on her debut, just fading late on at Beverley. This is an easier five furlongs and given she is related to both Seve and Ballesteros, speed looks her game. If she steps forward from that as she should do given the money she attracted, she may just cause a little surprise.

1 COOL SPIRIT – Made a positive impression on racecourse debut at Beverley back in June in a decent Class 2 event. He finished third that day, beaten 2 1/4 lengths by the useful Cardsharp and he showed plenty of promise for his first start. It was disappointing to see him finish third next time out given he dropped into Class 4 company but this is weaker still and he will a leading contender in this if he can step forward again.

2 FEEBS – Finished last of seven at Pontefract just over a week ago in a Class 4 novice stakes. He was slowly away that day and he ran green throughout his race, hanging right at times. He’s unlikely to have improved sufficiently to come out on top in this and the presence of a claimer suggests he’s best watched in this. The yard are without a winner from their last 33 runners.

3 FURNI FACTORS – One of the only runners in this with an official rating and he sets a very low standard rated just 59. Connections keep him in novice company which suggests he’s still too high in the ratings and a 9-length defeat in a Class 5 event at Ripon last time out certainly suggests that’s the case. He needs to show more improvement, especially in this grade and others are preferred.

4 THE AULD HOOSE – Displayed plenty of promise on racecourse debut when beaten just 4 lengths by some useful enough sorts for this grade. He didn’t progress next time out at Newcastle, finishing a distance eleventh of 14 and he needs to take a major step forward on that form to win this. However, he hails from a yard that can improve their 2yo’s with each run and the step down in trip to 5f makes him of interest. One to consider in this.

5 CAT BALLOU – Once-raced filly who finished sixth of 8 at Beverley over 5 furlongs on racecourse debut. She ran with promise that day and just looked a shade green in the closing stages which ultimately ended her chances. There was plenty of money about for her that day and it could be a similar story again today in this company. Interesting sort with plenty more to come.

6 COOL BABY – Has been given a small break since making her racecourse debut over C&D last month. She finished ninth of 11, beaten 13 lengths that day and whilst she ran green, she seemed to understand her job the further she went. She’s likely to show a good deal of improvement today and would be of interest although a 7lb claimer doesn’t inspire confidence. The yard have sent out just one winner from their last 19 runners.

7 FRENCH SILK – Chris Fairhurst’s runner is officially rated 36 and she would be a surprise winner of this. She’s been beaten no less than 15-lengths in three starts to date and she doesn’t look to be improving at all. She’ll be better suited to handicaps and it would be a surprise to see her start anything other than a big price in this.

8 GHOST – Gorgeous looking sort who hasn’t been beaten far in two starts to date. She ran well at Beverley last time out on Good to Firm to finish fifth of 9, beaten 4 1/4 lengths having just been caught for a shade of pace in the closing stages. This looks slightly weaker today and there’s every chance that she’ll come on again for that run. Commands respect in this.

9 LADY SANDY – Wasn’t beaten all that far by a subsequent Listed winner in Eirene at Doncaster on racecourse debut back in June. She finished midfield over the minimum trip subsequently and she’s just the sort to improve again. She switches to fast ground for the first time today which makes her of interest and the booking of Ben Curtis is positive. The yard are going well at present with a 16% strike rate in the past fortnight.

10 PACO ESCOSTAR – The sole racecourse debutante in this and she makes her debut in the middle of summer which doesn’t inspire confidence. She was picked up for 800GNS as a foal and she’s unlikely to be anything special. The yard’s runners generally come on for racecourse experience and she can only be watched in this. Conditions should suit though and market support would be significant.