Racecards
15:15 Catterick
W.L. And Hector Christie Memorial Trophy (Novices' Handicap Chase) (Class 4)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £8,000 added
- Winner: £5,198
- 2nd: £1,526
- 3rd: £763
- 4th: £382
- Form P-411U6
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
tracked leaders in 4th and keen, blundered 5th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened
- Form 5-PP1F1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey J Reveley
made all, clear from 3 out, eased after last
- Form F3P0-51
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer Mrs S J Smith
- Jockey Ryan Mania
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 3 out, one pace, never dangerous
- Form 0/757P-F
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey P J Brennan
tracked winner throughout, no impression from 3 out
- Form 56641-4
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey Colm McCormack
in rear and soon detached, went remote 4th after last, never dangerous
Verdict
The shorter trip is a bit of a concern, as is a penalty, but BRAVE SPARTACUS has now won twice here over fences and seems to have got his act together. He looks the one to beat ahead of stablemate Reasonable Force with Lucky Sunny having lost his way a little lately. Highrate won on his chasing bow at Hexham in November but needs to step up again to follow up here while Hoare Abbey hasn't shown a great deal so far.
Formwatch
Lucky Sunny (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up well in rear, mistake 4th, steady headway headway after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, 32l behind Rhymers Ha' (10-9) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) Evensfav (10-13) Made all, mistakes, unextended, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy beating Classical Mist (10-12) by 21l, 6 ran.
Highrate (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Led, hit and headed 4th, led again 5th, headed before 8th, led again 2 out, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov beating Brandon Thomas (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Hoare Abbey (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, fell 2nd, in a race won by Fulgora (10-1) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Reasonable Force 9-1 (11-0) In touch, chased leaders after 4 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 4th of 9, 34l behind Classical Mist (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.