TimeformBlog

[b]Madam Macie[/b] is a front-running C&D winner who bounced back to form in face of market support when ½-lengths second to Solar Spirit on last month's reappearance. Every chance she'll be involved again. [b]Solar Spirit[/b] was back to best when edging out Madam Macie in C&D handicap last month. Consistency never really been his strong point, however, and he's been well held at Ripon since. [b]President Lincoln[/b] was temperamental for Aiden O'Brien and again showed quirky side when making winning start for new yard at Musselburgh, holding on despite hanging right. Might not get away with such antics here. [b]Levitate[/b] got off the mark at Leicester (6f) in August. Put couple of below-par runs behind him when neck second to No Poppy at Doncaster last time, though winner ...

[b]Alpha One[/b] ran well when runner-up in 2 maiden chases here (19f) late last year. Confidence looked affected by previous fall when below form month, but the one to beat on chase form if bouncing back. [b]Earl Grez[/b] took well to fences initially, including placed over C&D, but lost way at end of last season and, despite being fit from points, no show on last month's return. Change of headgear tried now. [b]Foot The Bill[/b] is a point winner who ran best race over hurdles in 2½m novice on heavy ground at Carlisle a year ago. Shown very little 2 starts over fences this season, though, and others preferred. [b]Franks A Million[/b] is a bumper winner who has shown promise when making frame both starts in novice hurdles this winter, runner-up here (19f) last time. Obvious contender...

[b]Saveiro[/b] jumped better than has often been the case over fences when justifying market support at Wetherby last week. 7 lb penalty for that success partly offset by rider's claim and one to beat here. [b]Blacktoft[/b] won a Newton Abbot novice last season, but first campaign over fences was an inconsistent one and he stopped as if amiss returning from lengthy absence back over hurdles last month. [b]Storm Surge[/b] picked up a pair of handicaps from the front this season, the latest coming in cheekpieces at Haydock in December. Run poorly in 2 starts since, however, and needs to bounce back. [b]Gentleman Jeff[/b] was a hurdles winner for Dermot Weld and ran best race over fences when runner-up over C&D last month. Failed to build on that next time, but hurdles win did come...

[b]Teenage Idol[/b] has been let down by sketchy jumping in the past, but not doing much wrong at present, better than ever when winning at Ayr last time. 8 lb rise to overcome now, though. [b]Cygnet[/b] gained his third hurdles win of campaign when beating Geneva Geyser at Uttoxeter in September, but not been in same form since. [b]Distime[/b] is a point/bumper winner. Wasted no time building on promising debut second in this sphere when going one better at Bangor (17f) in November and more to come back up in trip on handicap bow. [b]Shadows Lengthen[/b] is a six-time AW Flat winner who opened jumps account in 19f novice at Catterick in February. Further improvement when winning at Doncaster last time and remains of interest. [b]Allow Me[/b] made the frame all starts prior ...

[b]Heez A Steel[/b] is not always the most fluent of jumpers but thorough stayer (fifth in Scottish National last term) and not impossibly handicapped. Yet to complete in 2 runs this winter, though. [b]Pegasus Prince[/b] improved for this yard, winning handicap hurdles at Uttoxeter and Market Rasen early last year. Off mark at second time of asking over fences at Sedgefield last month and may have more to come. [b]Cool Mission[/b] can race lazily, but did better once fitted with cheekpieces in second half of 2010/11, including win in 25f maiden at Ayr. Yet to fire this season but extreme test might help. [b]Shaking Hands[/b] won at Warwick (3¼m) just under a year ago, and good placed efforts up to 4m on both starts this term. Jumping sometimes a bit errant but this thorough stayer...

[b]Crowning Jewel[/b] has threatened to be a useful performer in National Hunt Flat races over the last twelve months and built upon that form on his hurdles debut last time, finishing second behind the impressive Malt Master in a maiden contest at Newcastle. Crowning Jewel did well to finish as close as he did on that occasion, having made his move from much further back than the eventual winner and a victory in a similar contest looked as though it should be a formality. The novice hurdle he contests at Catterick this afternoon (13:20) does look strong, with some interesting flat recruits making their debuts, but Crowning Jewel has the all-important experience over obstacles and looks fair value at the current prices. In the following race at Catterick, [b]Quel Ballistic[/b] looks ...

[b]Ravens Secret[/b] completed just once in maiden Irish points earlier this year but has filled the frame first 3 starts over hurdles. Step up in trip will suit now handicapping, but opening mark looks stiff. [b]Gulf Punch[/b] wasted no time getting back on the up for this yard, winning twice in recent months at up to 3m. Showed a good attitude for latter win at Musselburgh, but 9 lb rise clearly demands even more. [b]Overyou[/b] has showed improved form since returning form a break in August, winning handicaps at Cartmel and Hexham at up to 3m. Found out off revised mark in better race at Ascot last time, though. [b]Jewelled Dagger[/b] did well for new yard on Flat during the summer, winning 3 times. Not far off best on return to hurdles last month, but shaped like a suspect ...

[b]Mon Brav[/b] is a hold-up sprinter who won his first 2 starts for his current yard in April/May. Not been in top form of late however, even discounting latest effort when isolated. Others make more appeal. [b]Klynch[/b] is a tactically versatile handicapper who has won 4 times this year. Well below form last 2 starts, though, and likely to find a few too strong once more. [b]Ballista[/b] has been winless since his debut but undoubtedly well treated and caught the eye at Haydock last month. Ran poorly next time though and longer trip a concern here. [b]Celtic Sultan[/b] is a front runner who ended losing run at Kempton last month. 3 lb rise still leaves him on a fair mark but not ideally drawn to try and dictate in this field. [b]Illustrious Prince[/b] won twice in 2010 up...

The nap is hardly bomb-proof, but given the way [b]Washango[/b] (16:10) travelled for most of the race at Worcester last time she has to be worth giving the benefit of the doubt back in trip at the track this afternoon. Lightly raced over fences, Washango has fallen a long way in the weights and should prove well suited by today's shorter trip having been caught out late in the day over three furlongs further last month. Washango had shaped much the best of all up to that point and it's unlikely to be long before she's returning to winning ways for Shaun Lycett. Jim Goldie has a couple of runners at Catterick that look sure to be thereabouts. If you had to back just one, though, you'd have to side with [b]North Central[/b] (16:20) in the six-furlong handicap following his fine second...