CATTERICK'S bookmakers could find themselves well out of pocket if as expected Atlantic Coast (4.20) makes it three wins from his last five runs.
Even though Mark Johnston's three-year-old tends to come on and off the bridle during the course of his races, he still had enough in the tank to beat a fair field at Newbury 12 days ago.
Atlantic Coast is a quirky character and will probably be up to his old tricks in today's Swale Handicap, nonetheless his class should see him home in the two mile stamina test.
Win-only backers of Wotashirtfull (2.20) must be tearing their hair out after watching the two-year-old go close on each of his four starts.
It's not for the want of trying on behalf of the consistent Namid colt, who according to my speed figures has improved with every race but simply keeps on finding one too good.
Ironically Wotashirtfull is once more opposed by some fairly speedy sorts in the Ouse Maiden Stakes, however I believe Kevin Ryan's raider is about to ignite the burners full-bore and finally deliver.
Another individual with a string of near-misses to his name is Wolf River (2.50), who bumped into a super-smart cookie, Jimmy Styles, when narrowly losing out at Windsor.
With nothing of the calibre of Jimmy Styles in the line-up for the Weatherbys Insurance Maiden, Wolf River should have the luxury of being able to side-foot the ball into the back of the net.
Following fillies with their tails up is a tried-and-tested formula for finding winners, therefore recent runaway Thirsk scorer, Toy Top (3.20), is bound to be a popular choice in the Derwent Handicap.
On that occasion the Michael Dods' trained sprinter blazed from the gates to make every yard of the running for an impressive all-the-way triumph.
Doubtless the highly-promising apprentice Neil Brown will adopt the self-same tactics in the five furlong sprint, a race for which Toy Top is fancied to complete a quick-fire North Yorkshire double.
John Weymes is sure to find an opening for Crosby Vision before long, but his fast-ground performer needs the rain to stay away at Ayr if the supremely well-handicapped gelding is going to prevail.
Crosby Vision's rating has slumped to a level where he's a winner waiting to happen, although everything hinges on a dry day in Scotland for the Black Bottle Whisky Handicap.
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