Mohawk to return to winning ways at Catterick

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Published 00:01 04.07.2012

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Michael Dod's frustrating Mohawk Ridge is fancied to snap a long losing run and land Catterick's Racing Again Next Wednesday Handicap at 3.50 this afternoon.

The 6-y-o has a decent record at this venue and dropped a big hint that he is back in great heart with a promising fifth at Thirsk last time. He travelled up strongly there to close down a fast pace until tiring from the furlong pole, and can return to the winners enclosure for the first time in 11 months from the same mark off which he registered that victory. The recent rain has ideally eased the ground significantly and he can swoop late on under the promising 3lb claimer Lee Topliss.

Main danger for the £3,500 prize money comes from the veteran 11-y-o Bijou Dan. He has not won since 2009 but there were encouraging signs when second at Thirsk 9 days ago (beat Dan's Heir and Mohawk Ridge). His rating has been left untouched so he should be thereabouts again and three course wins in the past show he handles this sharp track very well if on a going day.

Dan's Heir is another with winning form over course and distance, and he is closely matched with the principals after plugging on into a creditable third last time. He is a hard ride however, and would need things to develop into a real slog to bring his bottomless stamina into play from 1lb "wrong" at the weights.

Incitement changed hands worryingly cheaply in February and has shown very little for his new connections since, while Zefooha has regressed rapidly since a successful spell over hurdles through the winter.

Topweight Anna's Arch is a half-brother to Nell Gwyn winner Barefoot Lady and left his debut form well behind when second in a fair maiden here last month. He was then well beaten last time but shaped as if this step up in trip would suit and would be a very interesting runner on handicap debut if the cash was to arrive later on from the shrewd Alan Swinbank stable.

Descaro has become expensive to follow this term, often travelling well but flattering to deceive with a weak finishing effort, and has slipped in the weights as a result (now back on last winning mark). He may well attract cash with David O'Meara in fine form but has run out of excuses having blown better chances of late.

In summary, a tight staying handicap with all the usual "suspects" lining up. Mohawk Ridge hails from a yard that has hit some form in the past week after a very quiet start to the season, and he showed he was returning to peak form last time out. At around 3-1 this morning he is well worth a reasonable win investment to assert in the closing stages.

Stephen's Wednesday Nap Dora's Sister 4.20 Catterick

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