UK Horse Racing Tips: Catterick

SPEED DAVIS finished full of running when he landed a bumper at Sedgefield last month and ought to have plenty more to offer now there are obstacles to negotiate. A half-brother to a handful of winner over jumps, the six-year-old was successful in a point-to-point before joining Donald McCain's yard and he is the logical choice here. Pickanumber sets the standard based on his form in Ireland and is respected on debut for new connections. Mr Le Philosophe completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Speed Davis 2nd Pickanumber 3rd Mr Le Philosophe

HARPER VALLEY has scope for a good deal of improvement and, from a competitive mark, rates a solid option on these terms, with trip and ground conditions looking ideal. Hajey, who went agonisingly close to completing a C&D double, is respected but faces a stiff test in conceding so much weight to the selection, therefore Inferno Sacree might pose more of a threat running off just 2lb above his last winning figure.
Prediction : 1st Harper Valley 2nd Inferno Sacree 3rd Hajey

It's early days for all of these and the likes of Le Jeune Bresil, Had To Be Hugo and Court Case are surely better than they mustered most recently, so warrant betting checks at the very least. However, TAP N GO LEO appears to have a bright future and having mainly jumped well when third on his hurdles debut over 2m3f at Warwick last month, the Jonjo O'Neill-trained five-year-old could be a different proposition with this longer trip a likely prompt for improvement.
Prediction : 1st Tap N Go Leo 2nd Le Jeune Bresil 3rd Had To Be Hugo

VAL DANCER is on a hat-trick after backing up a wide-margin Leicester triumph when again justifying favouritism at Wetherby. Mel Rowley's gelding has a 7lb higher rating to contend with, but makes only his fourth chase start and could still be improving. Conquredalofeurope accounted for Ideal Du Tabert over C&D and he has to be considered off a 3lb higher figure, while Tom Cody was some way adrift of the selection last time but was flying prior to that.
Prediction : 1st Val Dancer 2nd Conquredalofeurope 3rd Tom Cody

For Pleasure is likely to have his supporters as he bids for three in a row after victories at Fakenham and Fontwell. However, preference is for HOLLY, who burst back into life in fine style at Market Rasen. She has been hit with a 9lb rise, but that might not be enough to prevent her from going in again. Last-time-out Sedgefield winner Moonlight Glory takes a step up in grade and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Holly 2nd For Pleasure 3rd Moonlight Glory

Minella Trump has been lowered 10lb in the space of two runs and he is also taking a drop in grade, but he isn't proven in conditions potentially this testing. With that in mind, BUSHYPARK looks the way to go. Phil Kirby's 10-year-old struck over hurdles at Haydock on his penultimate start and if he can reproduce that level of form after subsequently managing only fifth in the defence of his North Yorkshire Grand National title, he could be the one to beat. Floueur should be fitter on his second start after a long absence and holds stronger claims than Omar Maretti.
Prediction : 1st Bushypark 2nd Minella Trump 3rd Floueur