Catterick - Wed 15 Jul 2026
Palazzo Persico failed to supplement his Chepstow success when only fifth at Brighton, but he might be worth another chance as he steps back up in distance. Even so, two-time C&D winner MADE ALL looks the way to go. Sam England's charge finished third in a warmer event over track and trip two starts ago and could get back on the winning trail. Cougar completes the shortlist.
MICK'S THE BOY showed improvement from his debut eighth to only find one too good over 6f at Thirsk last time and there is likely to be more in the locker. Dropping back a furlong in trip shouldn't pose him any problems and he looks the one to beat. South West has shown ability in his three starts, most recently finishing third in a seller at Leicester, and he is one to note. Cheeky Chesca may also have a say.
Mardy Bum got up for third on her nursery bow over 5f here and has to be respected, especially with the extra furlong likely to play to her strengths. However, LADY DUBLIN has shown a fair amount of ability in her four starts so far and an opening mark of 65 might prove to be lenient. Sunrise At Dawn can beat Showmethebubbles home for third.
Two Commanders boasts an unexposed profile ahead of his handicap debut with an opening mark of 78 appearing to be workable. However, it is former Stewards' Cup winner ABERAMA GOLD who gets the vote. The nine-year-old won off a 2lb higher mark over C&D in April and ran his best race since when runner-up at Epsom last Thursday. Dream Deal appeals most of the remainder.
HAADERR showed plenty of promise as a juvenile, winning on his final start at Southwell, and remains open to a fair amount of improvement on his return to action. A half-brother to Britannia runner-up La Botte, a gelding operation since his last appearance is unlikely to do him any harm and he is expected to be too strong for fellow three-year-old Naval Light. Karl Burke's charge finally got off the mark when presented with a golden opportunity at Pontefract and stepping back up in trip is likely to suit. Woodstock may benefit from a first-time visor and is preferred to Mudamer.
SOUTH SHORE has been in fine fettle of late and a 5lb penalty is unlikely to be enough to stop him for making it three on the bounce. The five-year-old scored at Windsor on his penultimate start before following up at Wolverhampton and it wouldn't be a surprise if he had more in the locker. Invincible Crown has steadily improved of late and has to enter the reckoning after his latest Musselburgh success. Albegone and Irish Dancer can fight it out for the minor honours.
MADE ALL won this last year and in the absence of much competition there is a good job he will follow-up. Palazzo Persico is the most obvious danger having won a similar event cosily on his penultimnate start. He is not the most consistent though. None of the rest appeal at all and probably the best of them is He's Our Cracker.
There looks to be three here with far stronger claims than the rest. Pick of them could be MICK'S THE BOY who looked an honest straightforward sort when trying to make all last time. He was still a tiny bit green there and can progress a little more. South West has been progressing and improved again for blinkers last time but that was over 6f and he was closing late so the drop back to the minimum trip is a concern. Cheeky Chesca had been consistent prior to her latest start when clipping heels early on and dropping out after. She gets cheekpieces here and is likely to bounce back to form and contend.
Showmethebubbles looks very unenthusiastic and is impossible to recommend leaving this between the other three. Lady Dublin raced too freely over 7f last time and should do better here down a furlong, she also gets cheekpieces, which may help but may also light her up. The two to concentrate on then are MARDY BUM and Sunrise At Dawn. Preference is for the former who looked to want this trip last time and can improve on a good handicap debut. Sunrise At Dawn ran pretty well in a decent race last time despite late interference and is going the right way.
TWO COMMANDERS has impressed in his novice races, came clear with a decent looking Roger Varian representative last time and could be on a generous mark for his debut. Dream Deal should contend again being ultra-consistent and remaining on a fair rating and the same applies to Aberama Gold.
This is a tight little race and any of the four could easily win. NAVAL LIGHT though is taken to improve here stepped back up in trip and could just be good enough to hold sway. Haaderr finished off his 2yo campaign with a win and has claims but could need the run and his action may not suit this fast ground. Second best then is probably the reliable Mudamer who has been running consistently well in handicaps, his mark is just a tad stiff. Woodstock gets a visor after racing freely early on last time and may return to better form as a consequence.
As so often a very tight sprint handicap. South Shore will be popular on a hat-trick and having come clear with the second last time, but he is up in the weights again with the penalty and you have to go back to September 2024 to find a run other than his last one that would give him a winning chance off the mark he runs off here. Preference is for the reliable ALBEGONE who has been touched off in two of his last four starts as a short-priced favourite. A big danger is Invincible Crown who had to barge through a pack of horses to get up on the line last time and may be capable of improving on that bare form given a clearer passage.
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