2:20 Catterick Racing Tips (14th July)

Just a quick post. 

Ten two-year-olds take part over the 5f on good to soft going. 

A tricky race with a winner hoping to defy a penalty, form horses and debutantes. 

Wee Loch Lass has been very consistent in her five starts. With an official rating of 71, it suggests that David O'Meara's grey filly is capable but limited and the win penalty could well hinder her chances. This daughter of Gutaifan is versatile and shown her worth on all surfaces. You can guarantee she will run her race and could well make the most of her experience and sets the standard. Whether you would feel confident betting at 6/4 is a matter of opinion. I can't say I would be betting but respect this filly.

Looking at the field in opposition they have something to prove. 

One horse I'm pretty sure is capable of better is Jedd O'Keeffe's Mystic Moonshadow. This daughter of Showcasing showed good pace on testing ground on debut, a fair race. She tired in the last half furlong after, perhaps, going a stride too fast. I thought she held claims second start when heading to Catterick on faster going. It was a dismal effort. I don't think the wide draw helped and trying to get into a decent position may have paid the price. The performance went beyond that point and she may have disappointed. With being on the sidelines for 40 days, you have to consider there was an issue which brings hope for a better run today. If drifting to a double-figure price (possible on the exchanges) may hold some value. It's always something of a double gamble hoping a horse can put a disappointing effort behind them. However, I'm pretty sure connections fancied their chances last time out over course and distance and that may be seen today. The wide draw is a slight concern but I'd expect Mystic Moonshadow to be ridden prominently and as long as they don't go a stride too fast Bez's Racing Club may have a smile on their face. 

Michael Dods is a very good trainer and one of few handlers who slips under the radar. They can often go well at big odds and often enjoy a bit of give underfoot. Act Of Passion is well owned and sired by a classy sire out of an unraced mare. Dods' juveniles have been running quite well this season with Red Warning winning and Vaccine looking a potentially smart performer. His debutantes have fair statistics at just about any odds and they hold fair each-way claims. 

Karl Burke has been in good form all season with his two-year-olds. To be fair, his debutantes can be a bit hit and miss. Taj Alriyadh is a son of Mehmas and recent breeze-up purchase at £19,000. It will be interesting to see how he performs today. 

Conclusion: Not the most inspiring race. It could well be a pretty weak affair which may lend itself for Wee Loch Las who is a winner but vulnerable with a penalty.  There doesn't look too much meat on the bone at short odds. I'm half interested in Mystic Moonshadow but, as with all bets, the decision is and should be made dependent on value. Jedd O'Keeffe's charge is a speedy type which is often a bonus on this course and shouldn't be troubled by testing ground. I would be looking for odds of about 10/1 on the exchanges and feel this filly is the type to either win or disappoint so I would be tempted to go for the straight win rather than an each-way punt. Act Of Passion could go well and looks the type to hit the frame. You could say the same about Taj Alriyadah although I don't think Burke's debutantes offer too much value. I'd side with Mystic Moonshadow but there are a few questions to answer.

Author Jason Coote

Result: 

Source: Racing Post