1:00 Catterick – JELSKI
Charlotte Jones is one of the most proficient riders in this contest and the 5lb she can claim in the contest could be crucial to the chances of her mount, JELSKI. James Moffatt’s 8-year-old has won 2 of his 16 starts over hurdles and the drop into Class 5 company could be the key to him adding a 3rd victory to his CV. A winner on his only previous start in this grade at Cartmel back in July, with Charlotte Jones 3lb claim he is effectively 3lbs below that mark on Tuesday. He finished 2nd in a much stronger contest than this at Sedgefield at the end of January, form that has been boosted when the 4th placed horse Hungry Tiger won at Newcastle over the weekend. Dropped into the bottom grade, he must surely go close in this field.
2:40 Catterick – KOPA KILANA
This doesn’t look to be a particularly deep maiden hurdle, with most of the field looking relatively exposed or longer-term projects. For that reason, it will be disappointing if KOPA KILANA cannot make a winning start over hurdles for Rebecca Menzies. The yard is having a fantastic season across both codes and have a 32% strike rate in the last 14-days. KOPA KILANA won his only start in bumpers at Musselburgh in October, form that was boosted when the 2nd, Ginger Mail, won on his next start. He comes from the family of Aubusson and Ma Filleule, so is bred to be smart and given the way that he travelled through that Musselburgh race, he won’t need to improve too much to feature in a weak contest like this.
