Gowanharry to follow up for in-form Dods

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Edited 08:46 18.07.2012

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Michael Dod's has his team in hot form in the past fortnight and his progressive Gowanharry can land the featured Catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap at 3.10 today.

There was plenty to like about last month's success in a competitive 5f Newcastle handicap in a first-time tongue tie, and the form has been well advertised with the second and fourth that day winning since. This progressive filly holds leading claims in an arguably lesser race here, having been put up only a generous 3lb by the assesor. Paul Mulrennan is in the saddle again and the forecast wet weather should mean that conditions are suitably testing.

Main danger for the £6,300 prize-money comes from Tim Easterby's Blue Shoes. She has bounced back to her best form on her last two starts (in common with so many from the yard), third in a 6f Ripon handicap in May before only giving way to Lisiere close home in a course and distance contest last week. The 3-y-o gets plenty of weight all round and seems sure to be in the shake-up again under David Allan.

The consistent Demora is another who is much improved of late, opening her account in an 11-runner 5f handicap at Nottingham before a solid second (subsequent dual winner Electric Qatar behind) there three days later. A six week absence since is a slight concern however, and she will have to defy a career high rating on ground that may be far more testing than is ideal.

Laura's Bairn is a dual fibresand winner who proved he was as good on turf when scoring over course and distance in April. He has to shrug off a disappointing effort at Newmarket last time, and now seems firmly in the grip of the handicapper.

Almond Branches is being brought along slowly this season and would need a big step forward from a more encouraging seventh at Doncaster 18 days ago, while topweight Sunrise Dance has failed to win in eleven starts and seems not to have trained on as a 3-y-o.

In summary, a decent clash between some in-form and progressive types. Gowanharry is open to the most improvement after just four career starts and her yard has now come into form since her Newcastle win. She is a confident selection to assert close home under Paul Mulrennan and is maximum bet material at around 7-4 this morning.

Stephen's Wednesday Nap Silent Footsteps 2.10 Catterick

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