Bentelimar in good shape to open account

Racing: Nine-year-old can chalk up first victory since joining Charlie Longsdon

BENTELIMAR can secure an overdue victory in the Watch Racing UK Anywhere Chase at Catterick.

Formerly a very useful performer over hurdles and fences in Ireland for Shay Barry, the nine-year-old joined Charlie Longsdon during the autumn and was thrown in at the deep end in the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November.

That competitive contest proved too hot for him to handle, but he has fared better in slightly lesser contests since, placing at Cheltenham and Huntingdon on his two most recent starts.

He faces just three opponents in North Yorkshire and it will be disappointing if he is unable to open his account for his new connections.

MYTHICAL MADNESS can take full advantage of his recent slide down the ratings by winning the Betway Handicap at Lingfield.

David O’Meara’s charge has been in a barren spell since winning on the turf at Haydock back in June, a victory that pushed him up to a mark of 101 which has plainly proved beyond him so far.

However, the seven-year-old’s lack of a win means he has dropped a bit in the handicap and he lines up off a mark of 94, which could prove generous as he has won off 3lb higher in the past. SELECTIONS

CATTERICK: 1.20 Teescomponents Lad, 1.55 Ronnie Lawson, 2.30 Sakhee’s City, 3.00 BENTELIMAR (NAP), 3.35 Totalize, 4.05 Notebook.

LINGFIELD: 1.00 Lady Noorah, 1.30 Lilbourne Star, 2.05 Accomplice, 2.40 Caracas, 3.10 Mythical Madness, 3.45 Mosseyb, 4.15 Rising Sunshine.

DOUBLE: Bentelimar and Mythical Madness.