Catchim secured the win with a good round of jumping at Market Rasen.
James Bowen took the initiative and managed to fend off a couple of others for the lead, which was definitely one of the deal breakers for him getting his win.
He jumped every fence very well, with the only mistake coming two from home, and it was nearly a race-ending mistake.
The two horses fighting for the win at the last fence were neck and neck, and I think it would have been close if the other horse hadn't unseated at the final fence. With Gavin Sheehan being unseated, Catchim ran out an easy winner.
Riskintheground 7/2 (1pt) – Haydock 2.40
At first, I was going to tip up The Bluesman. He was a horse I was tempted by at Cheltenham, but left him alone and went for Regent's Stroll. He looked like he was going to be a player in that race, but didn't pick up from off the pace. The form of the race has worked out well, with winners and placed horses appearing since. Riskintheground was the horse that swayed me away, and I have to stick with my gut and the Skeltons.
The way Riskintheground has been campaigned has been to get his handicap mark down. Harry has rarely been in the saddle, and he's been massive odds on every start, and he is slowly coming back to a winning handicap mark.
He won a couple of races at this time of the season last year, one at Ayr and went to Cheltenham five days later to win a Grade 2 off a 1lb higher mark than today. We've seen the Skelton duo hit top form in the last week, and with this being another solid pot to plunder, I can see him returning to form.
The rain which is expected to land at Haydock is my only concern, as this horse's best form has been on good to soft.
Grand Geste 9/4 (1pt) – Haydock 5.00
With two pulled up on his form in between two course wins, Grand Gesta probably isn't a candidate for being the most consistent, but he could also enjoy Haydock more than other venues.
I think the two wins at this course have been very good, as well as being head and shoulders clear of the rest of his form from anywhere else. He has got a Class 2 and Grade 3 win at Haydock, and hasn't skyrocketed in the handicap, so he has every chance of obtaining another win.
The rain expected to land from the time this is written to race time should make it ideal conditions for Grand Geste, and if he can get a prominent position, he could be tough to peg back.
GambleAware