SOFT-GROUND specialist Raphael (2.50) rates a rattling good bet in Catterick's feature race, the seven-furlong Tote-sponsored £8,000 Showcase Handicap.

The prize represents by far and away the best purse on offer at the track and considering the current well-being of Raphael, Tim Easterby's raider is sure to have plenty of support in the betting ring.

The selection, a close-up second to Marshman in a Class C event at Musselburgh, has been raised 3lb as a result of that gutsy effort. Going up for getting beaten must have been a body blow for connections at the time, but prospective backers can at least take heart from the fact the filly now drops in grade. She also has her favoured easy surface and the assistance of top jockey Kevin Darley.

In the opening division one of the Robin Hood Maiden Stakes, James Bethell, who trains just a few miles down the road at Coverham, might finally be in business with Micklegate (12.50).

Unlike her father, the highly-successful Aussie sire, Dracula, Micklegate has yet to draw blood on four outings to date. But Bethell's juvenile showed a good deal of promise when making significant late headway on her most recent start over track and trip, a performance that suggested her turn was near.

Mick Easterby's team has been making hay of late and it looks like Middlethorpe (3.50) is on the verge of joining in the fun provided he can reproduce the form of his fifth placing in a red-hot heat at Ayr's big Western meeting in October.

Although Middlethorpe has slipped a good few pounds down the ratings after a relatively fruitless campaign, all the signs in Scotland signalled a return to something like his best was on the cards.

There's a terrific line-up for the Haldon Gold Cup Chase at Exeter, a £50,000 contest won by Edredon Bleu (2.40) at odds of 10-1 in 2002.

Only a buffoon would chalk up that sort of over-generous starting price this time round for Edredon Bleu, who is strongly fancied to complete a famous double in the prestigious west country showpiece.

Henrietta Knight despatched her top-notch jumper to Wincanton ten days ago, where he spread-eagled a useful field with an exhibition round of fencing.

Johnny Portman is a dab hand at getting his horses fit after long absences therefore I'm not over concerned about Emphatic's 194-day break from action.

Portman has entered his gelding in the three-mile William Hill Handicap Hurdle, a race which will play to Emphatic's long suit - stamina. Further encouragement can be gleaned from the fitting of a pair of blinkers and the services of Timmy Murphy in the saddle.

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