Kathryn's Pet, an easy winner at Catterick three weeks ago, returns to the same course tomorrow with excellent prospects of completing an encore.
The Mary Reveley-trained mare bids for the Moonax Handicap and will again have the assistance of Tony Culhane who knows her well.Supporters of Kathryn's Pet did not have a single anxious moment on her latest outing.
Held up towards the back of the field she made good progress turning for home and, striking the front at the two furlongs pole, ran on strongly to go clear before being eased considerably near the finish and win by a clever half-length from Aldwych Arrow.
The handicapper has responded by raising Kathryn's Pet 6lb, a far from unreasonable margin considering she could comfortably have won by at least five lengths. She is napped to do the business again tomorrow.
Doonaree gets my vote in the Richmond Conditions Stakes.
Mark Johnston's Sadlers Wells colt created a useful impression on his racecourse debut at Newcastle on Easter Monday when easily beating the odds-on favourite Fnan by four lengths. He can fulfil that promise tomorrow under Darryll Holland.
The White Muzzle Handicap over five furlongs will be fast and furious and it could pay to give Bollin Roberta the chance to prove herself a sprinter.
Tim Easterby's filly was comfortably swept aside after forcing the pace over seven furlongs at Haydock on her reappearance. She is an interesting contender back to the minimum distance here.
Willie Supple, on his first day back riding in Britain after a record-breaking winter in Dubai where he was champion jockey, can record a comeback double on Foxkey (2.30) and Sharp Edge Boy (3.00) both trained by Eric Alston.
Armchair punters can look forward to four televised races from Epsom on Channel 4, highlighted by the Linde & Radford City and Suburban Showcase Handicap.
Last year's winner Kewarra is expected to make a bold bid to follow-up in this tricky-looking event, but the winner could well emerge from the foot of the handicap courtesy of Zurs.
Beaten only a head by Bomb Alaska in the Worthington Spring Mile at Doncaster last month, Zurs will be even better suited by tomorrow's extra two furlongs. Smart apprentice Richard Mullen again has the mount.
The Schroder Unit Trusts Blue Riband Trial Stakes places a stepping stone for some Derby entries and there is much to like about the prospects of Daliapour from the Luca Cumani stable.
Twice a winner last season, at Chepstow and at Ascot where he won a Listed race in September, this smart son of Sadlers Wells looks set for a useful three-year-old campaign.
The Stanley Racing Great Metropolitan Handicap looks a head-scratcher for punters, but trainer John Akehurst's booking of champion jockey Kieren Fallon for Red Ramona looks entirely significant. The hint should be taken.
Boss to run in big race
Irish trainer Mouse Morris today gave Boss Doyle the go-ahead to run in Saturday's Whitbread Gold Cup.
He sais that the gelding, who pulled muscles in his back when running in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February, is in "terrific form.".
Boss Doyle is 10-1 with bookmakers Ladbrokes for the 'Whitbread', in which he is set to carry 11st 2lb. Shay Barry will ride him.
"The ground is a big factor - they say that at worst it will be good at Sandown and that is what he wants," said Morris.
"I would have preferred him to have under 11st, but 2lb isn't going to stop him."
Bobbyjo at 7-2 is the only horse quoted at shorter than 8-1 by Ladbrokes and Morris admitted that the open nature of the race had tempted him to run.
Tomorrow's tips
CATTERICK
2.00...................................Just Bob
2.30......................................Foxkey
3.00......................Sharp Edge Boy
3.30...............Kathryn's Pet (Nap)
4.00.................................Doonaree
4.30............................Gunner Sam
5.05........................Bollin Roberts
EPSOM
2.05.......................Twice As Sharp
2.35................................Daliapour
3.10...........................Red Ramona
3.45..........................................Zurs
4.15.........................Border Prince
4.45.............................Full Egalite
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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