Smokin Barrels worth a punt at Catterick

Michael Scudamore eight-year-old can make light of weight hike

TWO SMOKIN BARRELS can shrug off another 7lb leap up the weights by winning the Happy Birthday Barbara Ramshay Mares’ Handicap Chase at Catterick.

The eight-year-old goes in search of a four-timer in this event having kicked off her winning spree in a novice affair at Wetherby in December.

Michael Scudamore’s charge was a two-length winner but had to work much harder to see off Money Maid by a neck back at that track just after Christmas.

Connections must have thought they were facing an uphill battle when she leapt another 6lb up the handicap after that win, but their fears will certainly have quickly disappeared as Two Smokin Barrels saw off five rivals at Kelso last month.

She impressed in winning by four and a half lengths, digging deep to suggest another rise will not be beyond her.

LOUGH SALT has hit that bar the last twice but can get back on track in the racinguk.com Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old’s last five starts have all been at Wetherby, but he showed he can compete at Catterick when not beaten far at the track in January last year.

Lough Salt has paid for his recent consistency in a little push up the ratings, but his current mark does not look too testing.

SAM SPINNER can prove up to the challenge of top weight in the EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

The five-year-old has been placed in each of his five starts so far, winning three times for trainer Jedd O’Keeffe, most recently at Catterick on New Year’s Day.

The second that day, Master Of Irony, has since gone on to win at Market Rasen and given the ease of Sam Spinner’s victory, it looked a really decent performance.

Sam Spinner has plenty of weight to contend with here, but looks a horse who is destined to win a nice event at some point in his career.

Lingfield gives apprentices a chance to shine in an £11,500 heat and Lucy Barry can take full advantage by steering BLAZE OF GLORY to victory for her boss Jamie Osborne.

Third on his debut at the track at the beginning of January, Blaze Of Glory turned out again just 10 days later to beat Fashion Business by a length and a quarter with a bit to spare. SELECTIONS:

CATTERICK: 1.15 Walsingham Grange, 1.45 Sam Spinner, 2.15 Halcyon Days, 2.45 Lough Salt, 3.20 TWO SMOKIN BARRELS (NAP), 3.55 Proud Gamble, 4.25 Only A Tipple.

LINGFIELD: 2.00 Remember Me, 2.30 Ticks The Boxes, 3.00 Dream Magic, 3.30 Blaze Of Glory, 4.10 Gnaad, 4.40 Burnside.

DOUBLE: Two Smokin Barrels and Blaze Of Glory.