Following two winners yesterday, Andy Holding is back with two tips from today's action, including a NAP at Catterick.
14:45 Catterick
The drop back in trip is a little bit of a worry as far as ROCCOWITHLOVE (best price 11/2) is concerned but, given the all-round pace he exhibited when scoring over three miles here last time out, he might just have the necessary requirements to offset that slight negative.
The key to his performance at the Yorkshire more than anything, was the aggressive nature in the way he was ridden compared to all his previous outings and this new change in format also seemed to help his jumping, which was spot on throughout.
Time figure-wise, his first winning effort over fences worked out pretty decent for the grade and with several in behind providing a fair level of substance to the form, there’s no reason to doubt the result in any way.
Obviously, today’s task isn’t exactly simplified in any way with the likes of Bolsover Bill and McGarry in the line-up but, with his confidence sure to be buoyed and ground likely to be somewhere close to how it was 13 days ago, a return to the scene of that breakthrough success can initiate more positive vibes for Joanne Foster’s gelding.
15:45 Catterick
GIT MAKER (NAP) (best price 6/4) impressed with the way he stayed on strongly in the latter stages of his first success over fences here last time out and with a return to the scene of that C&D seen as a cute move by connections, Jamie Snowden’s gelding rates a confident choice to follow up.
Seemingly having the race under control for most of the three-mile journey 24 days ago, a couple of hesitant jumps down the home straight threatened to undo all the good work put in until that stage, but once he negotiated the last and got on the long run-in, his superior leg speed took over and he ultimately ran out a comfortable winner.
A useful novice hurdler last season, he was always seen as a staying chasing project in the making and based on all three starts so far this season, he appears to be heading in the direction connections have predicted right from the start.
