LIKEABLE colt Gurkha Friend has to be followed at Catterick on Tuesday. The four-year-old has always been well regarded by trainer Karen McLintock and can illustrate the point in the catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap.
Gurkha Friend has only won once in eight races, but that victory was particularly noteworthy. The son of Showcasing took a six-furlong 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.
It has hardly been a cakewalk to glory since then, but the proverbial green shoots of recovery were evident at Ayr last month. Gurkha Friend finished third on only his second try over seven furlongs, but stamina was not an issue as he only went down by a length, while he also had to be switched wide for a run.
Even so, the handicapper has fairly kept him on the same mark of 78 for what does not look quite as good a race. 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-furlong maiden on the Westwood and 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 has a fair record at the unique seaside track, despite having never won there, and shaped encouragingly for a long way on his seasonal bow at Redcar last month.
Next Sensation has the quality to win the Heavitree Brewery Handicap Chase at Exeter. Things have not gone to plan for Michael Scudamore’s nine-year-old this spring, but he has been handicapped accordingly.
Though Next Sensation must still carry top weight, this looks immeasurably easier than the Grand Annual and the Silver Trophy at Cheltenham.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
Nap: Gurkha Friend (7.25pm, Catterick)
Double: Clem Fandango (5.55pm, Catterick)
Treble: Indian Tinker (2.50pm, Brighton)
Yankee: Next Sensation (7.15pm, Exeter)
