Mey can Blossom at Catterick
The feature race of Catterick’s meeting on Wednesday is the Sky Bet, Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Handicap at 3.40pm. This looks a very competitive affair with several of the runners in good form and trainer Richard Whitaker certainly has a good chance of landing the first prize with Mey Blossom.
The five-year-old mare has had a good season so far, recording three victories, the first of which came at Newcastle back in May when proving a length too good for Poppy’s Rose. She has done well to maintain that level since, with two successive victories at Thirsk, the last of which was particularly noteworthy when beating Mullglen by a length in what was a strong handicap.
She lost all chance at the start last time as she stumbled, coming out of the stalls and therefore with better luck, she has every chance of getting back to winning ways. It certainly will not be easy though as she faces some stiff competition.
The Kevin Ryan trained Le Toreador had a very successful time in 2009, winning on four occasions and the five-year-old gelding returned this season in tiptop condition, winning a valuable handicap at Lingfield in February. He appeared to go off the boil shortly afterwards, but showed definite signs of a return to form on his last start, when fourth to Rowe Park at Ascot. He only gave best in the closing stages there, and the handicapper appears to be relenting a little. As a front runner, he has the ideal draw here in stall one and is likely to make a bold bid from the front, and with Paul Hanagan taking the reins, that can only be a positive given his current 25% strike rate.
He may not have things all his own way up front, as there are other very speedy types in opposition. Hypnosis comes here in reasonable form having taken this race two years ago, running from the same handicap mark. There was nothing wrong with her last effort when third to Favourite Girl at Doncaster as she has since gone on to win again. Drawn next to Le Toreador in stall two, she will no doubt make a big effort to get to the front and it should be enthralling to see which one succeeds.
It is quite interesting that Mullglen re-opposes Mey Blossom here, as Tim Easterby’s runner appeared to have few excuses, when they clashed at Thirsk. It could be that connections feel this sharper track will suit him better and he did win here last year when beating Titus Andronicus in a good handicap. Another interesting point is that jockey David Allan who has ridden him to all four of his victories in the past, resumes his partnership here, signalling that the yard mean business.
When Nomoreblondes last visited this track, the six-year-old mare absolutely bolted up, making all the running to beat Wicked Wilma by just over two lengths. A similar performance would certainly put Paul Midgeley’s runner in the mix but she has the worst of the draw here and up against some powerful front-runners, she will find it difficult to employ the same tactics.
When the Dandy Nicholls yard hits form, his runners are well worth following and the signs in the last week suggest the stable are doing just that. His entrant for this is Crimea, a lightly raced four-year-old that has still managed three career wins, the last of which came in a Hamilton claiming race at the end of June. That form may not amount to much but he certainly has ability judged on his effort last time in a good handicap at Newmarket. He attempted to make all the running there, but weakened in the closing stages to come home in fourth. Newmarket has quite a stiff uphill finish so he is likely to find this course much more to his liking.
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