Steve Ryder is back with two tips for today's action, with both running at Catterick.
14:40 Catterick
The John Riches trained ASTAPOR (best priced at 7/2) is unlucky not to be 2/2 over this course and distance this season and hopefully he can make up for his saddle slipping last time. The five-year-old won by a neck in April off a mark of 52 before finishing a close 4th by ¾ length last time over the same course and distance off a mark of 56.
Callum Hutchinson reported that his saddle slipped during the race and Astapor became unbalanced as a result so that run can be upgraded. He runs here off the same mark of 56 and should prove hard to beat if replicating the form from 10 days ago.
17:12 Catterick
This looks a competitive 0-55 handicap but preference goes to the Tim Easterby trained OBEE JO (best priced at 9/1) despite market weakness this morning. The seven-year-old bounced back to form last time over this course and distance with a ¾ length victory under Brandon Wilkie.
Obee Jo won off a mark of 56 that day in an apprentice handicap and therefore escapes a penalty in this race. The handicapper has raised him 3lbs for that effort meaning that he is 3lbs “well in” at the weights and hopefully he can run well with up to four places on offer.
