Snapping Turtle runs in the opener at Catterick

In the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle over 3 miles 1½f, Snapping Turtle looks to follow up his recent success at Musselburgh. Well, he has gone up a whacking 8lb for a head success last time, and although 3rd placed Discoverie won at Sedgefield the other day, our gelding is fairly exposed these days and faces some tough opponents. We reckon he'll need a little luck to reach a minor place

Dodlandswise : Of the 10 runners, there are only 2 or 3 that could be discounted due to lack of recent form. Otherwise there are several well handicapped horses. Cumbrian Farmer, Danceintothelight and Ballyreesode are all capable of winning of their current mark, and top weight Weybridge Lad is not out of it. Neither is the bottom weight, Harriet's quietly progressive Macgillycuddy, who may reach a place at a big price.
But the eyecatcher and probable favourite is Evan William's dual winning novice chaser Abbeygrey who takes a significant drop in class here. If he is able to translate his improvement over fences to hurdles in this race, Abbeygrey will take a lot of beating.

Snapping Turtle taking a hurdle well, during his latest success at Musselburgh