Catterick soaks up the water better than most other tracks, but it is still expected to be very much on the soft side, where we run three, we also send two to the all weather a further 55 miles up the road at Newcastle.
Not What It Seems makes his hurdles debut in the maiden at 12.20.pm, over an extended two miles and three furlongs, with Joe Colliver on board.Not What It Seems ran three times for the Gordon Elliott yard in Ireland in bumpers, finishing forth on debut, and then runner up, before winning on debut for us at Sedgefield just over three weeks ago. His consistency to date has been admirable, and he is clearly progressing, so although this is a decent looking maiden for the track, it will be disappointing if he doesn't get involved.
Once she learned how to settle, Ilaya matured in to an above average mare last season, peaking with an excellent second over this course and distance in March, for which the handicapper thought her worthy of a 125 rating.She has failed to hit those heights so far this season in three attempts, but her mark has slipped back to an attractive 116. Although this is a 0-140 it is probably weaker than those three previous races, but she needs to bounce back, her regular pilot is Becky Smith.and the race is at 1.30.pm.
Maison D'or appears to be in the grip of the handicapper, and while he continues to run consistently, to what appears to be up to his best, he will not be shown any respite.Once again he returns to his favourite track, over the extended three miles and one furlong, and if there is any justice, it will be his turn now. He wouldn't want the ground to get any softer, and Joe Colliver rides him for the first time in the 3.07.pm
We also send two up to Newcastle on the all weather. Quoteline Direct is becoming a Wolverhampton specialist, so if he can reproduce that form at Gosforth Park, he will be the one to beat. His last two runs have both been at Wolverhampton, where on both occasions he has finished second, with the handicapper disappointingly raising him 3lb for those efforts. This trip of 12 furlongs is the distance he need nowadays, and Graham Lee who has ridden him on five previous occasions takes the ride at 2.20.pm.
The Resdev Way runs in division 2 at 2.55.pm, with Graham Lee riding him for the forth time in his career.Since joining us The Resdev Way has only run at Southwell (on four occasions,) but past form suggests that Newcastle will hold no terrors.His last win came at Yarmouth in May of last year, and he is now 4lb below that winning mark, with a current rating of 57, his peak was 78 back in April 2017. This trip of 12 furlongs is possibly on the short side for him nowadays, but a fast pace would help.
Good luck to the connections, JFW Properties Ltd, Resdev, Stephen Sugden And Ryder Sugden, The Golden Cuckoo, and D Lees.