14:15 Catterick

Tom Lacey would have been pleased to get his hands on HOWLINGMADMURDOCK and he maintained his unbeaten record winning easily on hurdles debut at Plumpton last month. There was lots to like about the way he stayed on through the line so with this step up in trip likely to be a catalyst for further improvement he should be able to follow up under Stan Sheppard. He is closely related to the useful Easy As That for Venetia Williams and he has plenty of stamina in his pedigree so this test should be ideal. Irish point winner Supreme Gift has won 2 of his first 3 starts over hurdles and looks the obvious danger to the selection. He was too good for them at Huntingdon last time but I’m not sure what he beat. He is going the right way though so should make a race of it. Of the rest Blue Fin should do better but might need more time and experience.

16:00 Newcastle

I’m pleasantly surprised WICCAN isn’t favourite for this as she surely brings the most potential to the table here? She showed bits and pieces of promise on her first 3 starts but took a big step forward when only beaten narrowly into third on handicap debut at Wolverhampton last week. I rate the winner Tennessee Dream so it looks a solid piece of form in the context of this race. She drops back to 6f which looks a good move and with Billy Loughnane tremendous value for his 5lb claim right now she has to go close here. The danger is probably Bode who suffered a troublesome passage when only sixth at Kempton earlier this month. He can improve and should go well but perhaps he isn’t the most straightforward so he’ll need the gaps to appear at the right time. Kasino knows how to win and at this track but I’m hoping she’ll prove vulnerable to an improver.