Gurkha geared up for mission at Catterick

RACING: Four-year-old has fine chance to shine over seven furlongs

GURKHA FRIEND appears to be coming to hand nicely in time for his latest assignment at Catterick.

The four-year-old is well regarded by Northumberland trainer Karen McLintock and can illustrate the point in the catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap.

Gurkha Friend has only won once in an eight-race career, but that victory was particularly noteworthy.

The son of Showcasing landed a sixfurlong conditions stakes at Leicester by half a length, which was no mean feat as runner-up Growl had previously finished second in the Mill Reef at Newbury.

Versatile in terms of ground, and with his prowess over seven furlongs now assured, this looks a lovely opportunity for a horse who is still pretty unexposed. CLEM FANDANGO raised the odd eyebrow on her debut at Beverley and looks the one in the Catterick Badgeholders’ Guest Evening Fillies’ Novice Auction Stakes.

Keith Dalgleish’s young filly was smashed to pieces in the betting before a five-fur long maiden on the Westwood and very nearly delivered.

The daughter of Elzaam looked extremely raw, but she improved with every stride and only succumbed by three-quarters of a length to a race-fit Seafront, who looks above average.

Typically difficult racing at Brighton, but INDIAN TINKER is back on a decent mark and could surprise a few in the L&S Printing-Official Print Partner Handicap. Robert Cowell’s seven-year-old shaped encouragingly for a long way on his seasonal bow at Redcar last month. SELECTIONS: BRIGHTON: 2.20 Assassinate, 2.50 Indian Tinker, 3.20 Ice Slice, 3.55 Tempuran, 4.25 Fitzwilliam, 4.55 Zephyros, 5.25 Royal Bajan.

CATTERICK: 5.55 Clem Fandango, 6.25 Chilworth Bells, 6.55 Musdam, 7.25 GURKHA FRIEND (NAP), 7.55 Madam Lilibet, 8.25 Elusivity.

DOUBLE: Gurkha Friend and Clem Fandango.