Crantock Bay has perfect opportunity to open his account

Crantock Bay will not be winning out of turn if he comes good in the opening tote Place pot Your First Bet Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Chelmsford.

George Scott's inmate is not a straightforward ride, as evidenced by six runner-up finishes from 11 career starts, but he certainly has the ability to win at this sort of level.

He was possibly a little unfortunate not to get off the mark at Newcastle in November in a first-time visor, while he perhaps got to the front a little sooner than ideal when mowed down late on his latest outing.

He is the highest-rated horse in this field, and will find few better opportunities to open his account.

Dutch Decoy is expected to get back on the winning trail in the Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap.

The well-bred son of Dutch Art won once in five starts for owners Cheveley Park Stud and trainer Richard Fa hey, before changing hands for 62,000 guineas in the autumn of 2019 and being sent to Middleham maestro Mark Johnston.

Dutch Deco y made asuccessful start for his new connections at Kempton last July, before reverting to the turf to run a couple of sound races in defeat at Ayr and Haydock - beaten just a length into fifth place on the latter occasion.

The four-year-old did not run again until returning from a four-month break at Southwell in early December - where after cutting out much of the running at a strong pace, he faded late on to finish fourth.

He is bound to strip fitter for the outing and has been dropped 1lb by the handicapper to a mark of 82.

With a drop back to seven furlongs likely to suit, Dutch Decoy is capable of giving weight and a beating to his rivals in Essex.

It is one of the biggest days of the season at Catterick, with the North Yorkshire Grand National taking centre stage.

Little Bruce won last year's renewal of the three-mile-sixfurlong contest, and it would no surprise to see him repeat the feat for locally-based trainer Phil Kirby.

The nine -year- old ran over hurdles on his first start of the current campaign, before completing the cross- country course at Cheltenham last time in November.

He returns to regulation fences just 4 lb higher than 12 months ago and he can be expected to make his presence felt once again for a yard that has been in good form since the turn of the year.