Tim knows all the Trix’ of the trade
The Catterick card starts with a veterans’ chase and I think Tim Vaughan’s TRIXSTER (1.45pm, Catterick) looks the best option as the youngest horse in the race and the one who is not completely exposed as a chaser.
His only modest run over fences came in a tough heat at Cheltenham, but he has a record over the larger obstacles of 31222.
He ran a solid race when second to Some Detail at Taunton last time, and the pair were well clear.
Vaughan has only had six chase runners at Catterick in the last four years, but two of those have won and another was travelling best when falling, so the journey here from Pant Wilkin looks significant.
And the selection is more likely to give his running at the trip than most of his rivals.
Pace
The Watch Racingtv Free For 31 Days Handicap Chase won’t want for pace, with Bolsover Bill, Crack Du Ninian and a back-tofrom Roccowithlove all likely candidates for the leader’s role.
Assuming at least two of those mentioned go forward from the off, that is the ideal scenario for a strong-travelling horse ridden with more patience, and EN MEME TEMPS (2.45pm, Catterick) fits the bill.
His one win in 25 starts will be enough to put most punters off, but there was plenty of promise on his first start for Susan Corbett at Musselburgh a month ago.
He jumped and travelled notably well there until getting tired late on, as might be expected on his first start since May.
With that under his belt, and this likely to run to suit a repeat of the Musselburgh tactics, he could be value.
Dogem By Design has shown little over hurdles but I would certainly expect better now he sees a fence, his dam being a half-sister to that quality stayer Lie Forrit and we’ve seen how Ryan Potter can improve horses for a switch to the bigger obstacles.
I would be concerned about his lack of chasing experience given the way this is likely to be run, and Catterick’s fences can catch out even more experienced chasers.
THE WREKIN (3.15pm, Catterick – Nap) has quickly become well handicapped, and with Henry Daly in fine form this winter, he’s taken to make a winning return from a lengthy absence.
Anything of Henry’s that wins early in their career is usually worth following, and The Wrekin won on only his second hurdles start at Ludlow in 2021 before proving that adage correct.
He quickly followed that success with two more wins in novice company and for his first handicap start he tried his luck in the Tote Silver Trophy at Chepstow in October of that year.
He finished midfield in a race that’s thrown up a whole host of good winners since, and ran better again when fifth at Cheltenham next time, before disappointing over 3m on his final start that season.
He’s not been seen since then but has been dropped 8lb for standing in his box for over a year and looks very well handicapped if he’s ready to go after an absence.
Daly is an impressive 10-38 with his handicap hurdlers this season, and that’s reason enough to keep The Wrekin on side.