TOM’S THE BEST AT CATTERICK
Stout stayer Stormin Tom looks the one to be with at Catterick tomorrow.
Tim Easterby’s six-yearold 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 a mile and three-quarters.
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 5lb for that two-and-a-quarterlength triumph and was subsequently pitched into better company in a twomile handicap at York on July 28.
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 2lb 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 2lb 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 the mile and a quarter suggested this step up to a mile and a half will be right up her street.
The handicapper has only raised her 2lb, 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.
Meanwhile, Wild Illusion is likely to sidestep the Yorkshire Oaks later this month and instead be prepared for the Prix de l’Opera before a potential appearance at the Breeders’ Cup.
Having finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and second in both the Investec Oaks at Epsom and the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Godolphin-owned filly was not winning out of turn when claiming Group One honours in Thursday’s Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.
The Yorkshire Oaks was mooted as a possible target in the immediate aftermath, but Appleby is keen to stick to a mile and a quarter with Wild Illusion for the time being.
He said: “It is all still quite open. We are potentially going to give her a little break.
“We saw what she can do over 10 furlongs at Goodwood, so what could just be the way forward is the Prix de l’Opera and then the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.”