4.45pm Catterick Tips & Betting Preview 12/09/2017

A field of eight go to post for the penultimate race of the day at Catterick on Tuesday. See our betting tips and full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Wolfcatcherjack arrives here on the four-timer for Sir Mark Prescott and a bold bid is expected; preference, however, is for VINDICATOR for Michael Dods. He dismissed Sheriff Garrett comfortably at Thirsk two starts ago before running another great effort to be denied only narrowly at Redcar on his latest run. He’s four pounds higher here but he’s going the right way and has further progress left in him. Cal Rodriguez takes off five pounds and that seals the deal here today.

1 WOLFCATCHERJACK – Typical Sir Mark Prescott improver who has won all three of his starts since making his handicap debut, completing a hat-trick at Wolverhampton on his latest effort by a comfortable margin. He’s now much higher in the weights, but this further step up in trip will suit him massively and Luke Morris retakes the ride which is an obvious plus. He looks sure to play a key role and has to be considered.

2 VINDICATOR – Won comfortably at Thirsk on his penultimate start at the expense of Sheriff Garrett and, despite a seven pound rise, he was only beaten half a length at Redcar on his latest start last month. He’s been raised a further four pounds but he’s clearly going the right way and appreciated this step up in trip last time out. Cal Rodriguez takes over and removes a valuable five pounds off his back and, with conditions fine, he looks very tough to beat..

3 SHERIFF GARRETT – Both of his wins have come on the all weather surface and, although he’s gone close on the turf in the past, he looks held by Vindicator on their match up at Thirsk in August. He was below form at Chester when last seen and, despite being hampered that day, he was already held at the time. He remains on the same mark and it’s not hard to look elsewhere on this occasion.

4 MAMBO DANCER – Has hit the frame on all three of his runs since returning from a break for Mark Johnston, but he’s become frustrating to follow. He was sent off a well backed 11/8 favourite on his latest start at Catterick but looked very one paced when finishing third. He should be suited by the step up in trip and isn’t one to give up on just yet, but others have less to prove and he should be left wanting on this occasion.

5 DUKE’S GIRL – Eight race maiden who more often than not runs her race for Michael Bell, however she does flatter to deceive when they knuckle down for a battle. She wasn’t beaten far on her latest start in a blanket finish at Salisbury in August, headed inside the final 120 yards where she had no extra. She is on the same mark and a repeat of that performance will see her in with a shout for the placings, but she remains vulnerable for the placings.

6 RIVIERE ARGENTEE – Has been well held on all of her starts this season for Karl Burke, only beating rivals home on one of her five runs this season. She was stone dead last in a Saint-Cloud claimer on her latest start and she’s impossible to recommend as she doesn’t look to have trained on this season.

7 CORNERSTONE LAD – Softer ground looks like it bogged him down when he was last seen at Pontefract in July, so he arrives here with a point to prove with identical conditions. Prior to that poor display, he’d placed at both Pontefract and Ripon, not beaten far on either occasion and a repeat of those performances would see him going close. That cannot be guaranteed though with the ground this soft and others are less risky.

8 MISS DANBY – Three-year-old daughter of Mastercraftsman who has regressed with every start this season for Mark Johnston. She was last seen at Ripon labouring in ninth of ten, well beaten and never threatening as she was always behind. She’s now four pounds lower and tries a new trip, but she’s highly risky and others look far more straightforward on this occasion.