Redrosezorro – 2.35 Catterick – 7F Handicap – 1 Point Each Way.
The adage ‘Horses for Courses’ certainly applies to Redrosezorro as he has won 6 of his 8 races at Catterick. He has also placed a further 6 times which means he has been in the frame 12 runs out of just 16 races.
His mark has risen as a consequence, with wins off as high as 80 (October 2020).
Redrosezorro has run 6 times this year and hasn’t been in the best off form, but his best run was the only time he returned to Catterick where he got no run three out and trailed in midfield.
With just one run this year at his beloved track, you get the impression connections have been happy to get a few pounds off his mark and now he is down to a mark of 70 he looks very much on a winning mark.
I think it’s significant Jason Hart takes the ride as he has won on him 3 times, with two further placings.
It’s also significant his trainer Eric Alston has a great record at this meeting.
The one negative is his draw in stall 13, but he may well overcome this as he likes to race prominently and with not too many prominent/front running sorts he might get a fair position and tuck in behind the leaders without having to go too wide found the bend.
With such a phenomenal track record, off a good mark with the right jockey it’s amazing we can back him at 33/1 with Skybet who offer 4 places.
I’m therefore recommending 1 point each way.
He is still value at 14/1.
Ahklaaq – 5.00 Galway – 1m Handicap – 16/1 Skybet – 6 places – 1 Point Each Way.
A J Martin is one of Ireland’s shrewdest Trainers and gets his fair share of big handicap winners.
Ahklaaq was originally owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum and ran in his famous blue and white colours.
Ahklaaq achieved a good level of form under Owen Burrows, winning a 6F maiden on good/firm and consistently running in the 80’s, with a postmark high of 90.
When he moved to A J Martin his form took a dip (over an extended trip of 1m 2F) and his handicap mark dropped from a high of 88 to just 65. I watched these races, and he was given a very easy time!
He returned to form on his seasonal debut this year when he was dropped to 1 mile where he travelled strongly and quickened to lead in the final furlong. Unfortunately he did not follow this up on his last run, where he found trouble in running.
He hasn’t raced since May this year, but that is probably a positive as he has shown most of his best form off a break.
Ahklaaq runs here off just 3lb higher than his smooth success on his seasonal debut in April 2021 and at odds of 16/1 today looks a big price for his chance.
Skybet are also offering 6 places in this 18 runner field, so I am happy to recommend 1 point each way.
He still looks value at 12/1.
