EVANDER WON’T MEANDER

(2.00) can make up for a moderate round of fencing at Wincanton last time out by landing the feature novices’ handicap chase at Catterick this afternoon.

The top weight was cruising along in front that day when he stumbled on landing after jumping the 13th obstacle and was always on the back foot thereafter.

In fact, Oliver Greenall’s charge did well to run the smart Capeland to three-and-a-half lengths and this looks an easier assignment.

The staying handicap chase looks ripe for a big shock with so many of these sloggers on the downgrade.

Top-weight Event of Sivola looks sure to be at the top of most punters’ lists but he has enough weight to carry in this hock-deep ground so a chance is taken on ISKABEG LANE (3.00). Sue Smith’s hopeful was actually 11 lengths off that rival last time out but that run should have put him straight and, at around 25-1, he looks way too big in the market place. The veterans’ handicap chase looks at the mercy of Dr Richard Newland’s BILLY BRONCO (1.00) who is gradually running into form.

The first-time blinkers seemed to make a difference last time out at Hereford and despite losing a shoe, he ran a cracking second to Innisfree Lad and there should be more to come from the 10-year-old.

The best bet at Wolverhampton could come in the form of GLASVEGAS (1.40), now in the hands of David Evans. In his heyday, the four-year-old finished 11th in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot off a mark of 93 and now finds himself a full 20lbs lower in the weights.

This step-up to a mile from six furlongs should help and he gets the nod over recent winner Universal Effect. (2.40) was hugely disappointing at Lingfield last week but today’s contest looks a really good opening for the David O’Meara charge and he should be hard to beat from the inside stall.