The month of March begins and that means only one thing – the countdown to the Cheltenham Festival is almost complete.
Just two weeks to go, but there’s still plenty racing action between now and the Cotswolds showpiece.
Catterick hosts a six-race card over jumps this afternoon, with action from 1.00pm-3.50pm, and you can watch it all via live streaming when logged into MansionBet. Our tipster has a race-by-race look at the card.
1.00 – racingtv.com Female Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m3f)
This looks wide open and it should represent a good chance for KINGS CREEK to go well. Mark Walford’s charge has a win and a close fourth from his two previous starts over timber at this Yorkshire venue. He was placed on his last start around Sedgefield 20 days ago and looks to be on the sort of mark from which he could strike soon. Given his fondness for this venue, that’s promising.
Selection: King Creek @ 6/1
1.30 – Racing TV Club Day Today Novices’ Chase (2m3f)
Mackenberg defeated Cornerstone Lad at Carlisle three weeks ago but has to prove he can repeat it on significantly worse terms now. They dominate the betting and are the standard-setters for sure but NERO ROCK isn’t entirely dismissed. He likes to front-run and if allowed an easy lead by his two rivals, he could catch them out.
Selection: Nero Rock @ 5/1
2.05 – Easby Abbey Handicap Chase (1m7½f)
DA VINCI HAND was a winner over C&D in December on his third start over fences and he come back here on the back of a decent second at this track in February over 2m3f. He was no match for the pacesetting winner ultimately, but did put the best part of 10 lengths between himself and the remainder. With Thomas Willmott claiming 5lb from an unchanged mark, he looks set for another big Catterick run.
Selection: Da Vinci Hand @ 7/4
2.40 – Racing TV Maiden Hurdle (1m7½f)
Whizz Kid was pitched into the Grade 1 Tolworth at Sandown in January on his first start over hurdles. Dr Richard Newland’s charge duly struggled on that heavy ground but he’s got a far less daunting assignment now and is one to note. Monte Igueldo sets the standard on hurdles form but KOPA KILANA won a Musselburgh bumper in the autumn and could be a decent recruit to jumping for Rebecca Menzies.
Selection: Kopa Kilana @ 4/1
3.15 – Visit racingtv.com Handicap Chase (3m1f)
The mare CHANTING HILL has improved in each of three runs since returning to action in early December. The most recent of those saw her finishing a close second over C&D at the start of February. If she can take another step forward today, she may find herself back in the winners’ enclosure.
Selection: Chanting Hill @ 7/2
3.50 – Racing Again 9th March Handicap Hurdle (3m1f)
A step up to 2m7f appeared to have a positive effect for SCHALKE three weeks ago when he scored at Market Rasen for Rebecca Menzies and champion jockey-elect Brian Hughes. He is unexposed at this sort of distance and looks to have lots to offer so he’s taken to defy this 6lb higher mark.
Selection: Schalke @ 6/4
*All odds correct at time of writing.