2.45pm Catterick Tips & Betting Preview 28/12/2016

This should be run at a good clip with ten horses going to post for this 0-110 handicap over 3m1f today at Catterick. Read on for our expert’s thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Bonzo Bing was a good second behind a rapidly improving sort last time out over C&D and should go well returned to the scene of that effort today. That being said he may find it difficult to contain GOLDEN INVESTMENT who can take closer order today if ironing out his minor jumping issues having unseated two starts back, and can gain his first success over fences today if the tongue strap does the job down in grade. Cabragh was an impressive winner over further earlier this month and a better showing is expected of him in this having been outpaced over much shorter last time. The 3m1f he encounters today should be far more suitable and he can give the selection most to think about.

1 Golden Investment – Point winner in Ireland and scored on his fourth start over hurdles when landing a similar event at Kelso (Good/Soft) in May. Unseated on his first start over fences but produced another career best when third behind Two Smoking Barrels (won yesterday) at Wetherby (Good/Soft) over 3m twenty five days ago. Wears a first-time tongue tie for this and shouldn’t be too far away dropped in grade.

2 Western Jo – Previously with Philip Hobbs and hasn’t won for three years since landing a bumper and a novice hurdle for that trainer. On a good mark now but jumping was slightly erratic at Market Rasen at the start of the month with blinkers on, going out to his left on a number of occasions and pulled up at that track the time before. Left handed track should suit and blinkers stay on but strike rate hardly inspiring and others preferred today.

3 Bonzo Bing – Back to back hurdles winner in Ireland over 2m and only fair form up to this trip in twelve runs since. Encouraging second behind Nortonthorpelegend over C&D on his last start and only 1lb higher today. Should be suited by conditions and solid claims.

4 Cabragh – Competed in Irish points and only fair form in four hurdles starts before hacking up by 13 lengths on his chase debut at Sedgefield (Good/Soft) over 3m2f. Disappointed next time when making plenty of jumping errors at Newcastle (Soft) over 2m4f twenty days ago. Needs to bounce back now upped in trip again and still 6lb higher than his Sedgefield win. Could prove vulnerable again and may have to settle for minor money.

5 Fly Home Harry – Comes here in good form after winning back to back events in minor company on his last two starts at Southwell (Good/Soft) over 2m7f. Assessor has raised him 8lb for those wins and likely to encounter a more suitable pace in this but much more needed to win with the penalty today.

6 Bennys Well – Has won seven times over fences and needs much more today having flopped in four runs since winning a four runner event at Market Rasen (Soft) in March. Faces stronger opposition today and on a dangerous mark for this but more needed for win purposes.

7 Dystonia’s Revenge – Has shown patchy form this year but ran his best for a while when third at Carlisle (Good) two starts ago before well beaten in seventh of 9 over C&D on his last start twenty eight days ago (Bonzo Bing in second). 20lb below his last winning mark but recent form on this course is a big negative and hard to fancy.

8 Foot The Bill – Won over 2m7f at Southwell (Heavy) in March off the same mark but has been well below form in his last four starts including over C&D on his last start fifteen days ago and easy to rule out today.

9 Urban Gale – Two time winner over fences last year over slightly further and has only run well once since then, when runner up in May at Sedgefield (Soft) when wearing a visor. Doesn’t have the aid of that today and last two starts since returning from a five month break have been poor including when well beaten by Fly Home Harry on his last start. Easy to look elsewhere.

10 Major Ridge – Previously trained by Robert Bewley and still a maiden after twelve runs. Fair run behind Cabragh on his last start when third of 7 at Sedgefield (Good/Soft) on first start for the yard twenty six days ago and now 0-6 from fences. Can be ruled out with confidence.