Time for Princess to take crown

TIPS: Pears has high hopes of landing double at Catterick

Racing returns to Catterick for the first time since the shutdown and Ollie Pears could have a good day with both CROWN PRINCESS and CHRISTMAS NIGHT.

Crown Princess made a very pleasing debut at Beverley three weeks ago when third. The Mehmas filly was sent off the rank outsider at 66-1 in an 11-runner field, but made a mockery of those odds, showing up well the whole race.

Beaten just over two lengths by the well-bred Brazen Belle and Miss Milby, who has been second again since to give the form some context, Crown Princess can be expected to improve for her first run.

She was drawn widest of all on the Westwood, but showed good early speed and then tenacity in the closing stages when it would have been easy to fold.

Pears must have been delighted and while she is taking on the boys this time, she is getting weight from all her rivals in the Every Race Live On RacingTV Novice Auction Stakes.

Christmas Night was another to run a big race for Pears first time out this season when second of 10 at Thirsk.

Since undergoing a wind operation, he has been far more consistent barring one effort at Newcastle, but that was the second time he has disappointed there so he might just not like the Tapeta at Gosforth Park.

He is thoroughly exposed these days, but gets to run in the Skeeby Handicap off the same mark as at Thirsk.

Boom The Groom might not be the force he once was, but he is handicapped to win the Swineford Handicap at Bath.

SELECTIONS

BATH: 2.10 Toolatetodelegate, 2.40 Follow Suit, 3.10 Princely, 3.40 Boom The Groom, 4.15 Plath, 4.50 Daheer, 5.20 Magic Shuffle, 5.50 Competition.

CATTERICK: 12.15 CROWN PRINCESS (NAP), 12.45 Newsical, 1.20 Champagne Bob, 1.50 Our Dave, 2.20 Christmas Night, 2.50 Global Rock, 3.20 Sly Minx, 3.50 Good Ole Winnie, 4.25 Lady Shanawell.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.00 Magic J, 5.30 Champagne Supanova, 6.00 Royal Tribute, 6.30 Dublin Rocker, 7.00 Cape Greco, 7.30 Wrath Of Hector, 8.00 Mr Kodi, 8.30 Kybosh, 9.00 Labeebb.

DOUBLE: Crown Princess and Christmas Night.