Eaterby’s Tom is expected to storm home at Catterick
Newbury (UK) Tuesday Race 1: 14.45
– Stout stayer Stormin Tom looks the one to be with at Catterick today.
Tim Easterby's six-year-old has already had a fine season, even if his consistent efforts might not have yielded warranted success. And there are sound enough reasons to suggest he can poke his nose in front for a second time in 2018 when he takes the plunge in the Racing UK-sponsored handicap over 2800m.
Stormin Tom was a really pleasing scorer at Beverley last month when he cashed in from off a topsy-turvy gallop to end the winning streak of Sir Mark Prescott's Altra Vita. The gelded son of Dylan Thomas was raised 2.5kg for that 2.25-length triumph and was subsequently pitched into better company in a 3200m handicap at York on 28 July.
Stormin Tom found Davy's Dilemma too good on the day, but he still emerged with plenty of credit as he refused to buckle once overtaken by the winner, who was perhaps better suited to the easier conditions than Easterby's inmate. The handicapper has burdened him with another 1kg at Catterick, but this is nowhere near as competitive as that York race, while the descent in trip will be off no consequence whatsoever.
With the weather set to remain dry, everything looks set fair for this game little trier to claim another deserved victory.
Eponina can claim a second successive victory at Nottingham in the Smarkets Handicap. After three consecutive runner-up finishes for Ben Haslam in the spring, the four-year-old joined Mick Appleby and the move appears to have made the difference. In four starts for her current connections she has won twice, striking at Leicester and over this course, and distance and a 1kg rise for her latest triumph looks more than fair.
Trevena must have every chance of following up a recent Yarmouth triumph in the Elm Park Country Park Essex Handicap at Newbury. Ed Walker's filly shaped with only a hint of promise in maiden and novice company and therefore entered the handicap arena off a mark of 70.
She made a successful handicap debut at Yarmouth, beating odds-on favourite and subsequent winner Winged Spur, and the way she finished over 2000m suggested this step up to 2400m will be right up her street.
The handicapper has only raised her 1kg, which looks generous to say the least, and with fast ground to suit it will be a shade disappointing if she does not come home in front once again.
Karl Burke is enjoying an excellent campaign and looks set to add to his tally at Ayr with Play Mate. The daughter of Showcasing was a good winner at Wolverhampton three weeks ago and the Shop At Ayrshire Cancer Support Novice Stakes looks a good opportunity for her to follow up. – Press Association