Following a 5/2 winner yesterday, Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's racing.
13:15 Catterick
This 0-105 handicap is full of horses with lots to prove on recent form apart from BALRANALD (best priced at 11-2) who comes here following a victory at Sedgefield 21 days ago. The Alison Hamilton trained five-year-old is 0-15 over hurdles but made a winning chasing last time in a five-runner contest where he upset the odds on favourite Aire Valley Lad with the pair pulling 18 lengths clear of the third.
That victory came off a mark of 90 but Balranald should still hold strong claims off a 5lb higher mark given that he finished a close 2nd earlier this year off 1lb higher over hurdles at Musselburgh. Jamie Hamilton is 1/1 on the horse and maintains the partnership and he looks a solid selection with four places on offer.
13:45 Catterick
Proven flat form doesn’t always translate to hurdling ability in juvenile hurdling but I am amazed at the price of INCA PRINCE (best priced at 10-3) in this given his rating on the flat and his experience over hurdles so far. The gelding has a rating of 84 on the flat which is top rated in comparison to rivals in this race with Kayfast Warrior rated 82, Krypton Gold rated 53, Tommaso rated 63 and Shielded rated 69 but he also brings solid hurdling form into this race courtesy of three runs in Ireland for Cormac Farrell.
Inca Prince finished 3rd behind current Triumph Hurdle favourite Fil Dor on his latest start at Down Royal and despite being beaten 16 ½ lengths that day, that does set the standard coming into this race. Inca Prince has now joined Ruth Jefferson and he can hopefully complete a quickfire double for jockey Jamie Hamilton.
14:45 Catterick
The Sam Allwood trained OUT ON THE TEAR (best priced at 6-4) won this race last season and should hold strong claims of following up this year off only a 4lb higher mark. The seven-year-old won by six lengths in this contest last year before finishing 2nd off a mark of 117 on his next start.
Out On The Tear has run with credit on both of his starts this season in Class 3 contests and should now appreciate this drop back down to a Class 4 contest. The stable had a winner and a second on Friday so they come here in good form and he should prove hard to beat with Charlie Todd once again claiming 3lbs.
