KallasWietzorek

This Heritage Handicap spans 1 mile and 6 furlongs and offers more than £50,000 to the winner. The field comprises older horses (four-year-olds and up) many with potential to progress into Listed or Group company over the coming months. One with standout claims is Endless Victory from Charlie Appleby's flourishing yard, currently boasting a strong 32% strike rate (6 wins from 19 runners in the past fortnight). The colt showed steady improvement last season and again in two promising efforts this May and over the winter. On his return at Royal Ascot, Endless Victory wasn't seen to best effect, missing the break and settling at the rear in a competitive handicap. Despite this, he made late headway to finish an encouraging seventh. That run appears a springboard for stronger performances. With stamina assured over this extended trip and conditions expected to suit, Buick is likely to adopt more assertive tactics. The colt remains lightly raced and has ample scope for progress. In a deep field, he could be one to rise through the ranks.

The 1:50 opener features a Heritage Handicap over one mile for Class 2 three-year-olds only, with £51,500 in prize money. Unsurprisingly, leading yards are well represented by progressive types. One who looks generously priced at around 5/1 is Kurakka from Alan King's yard. Though King is best known for his success over jumps, he has some quality Flat performers and boasts a solid record of 3 wins from his last 10 runners. Kurakka was clearly prepared with handicaps in mind. He showed promise in two juvenile starts, both hinting at stamina over this trip. He returned with a confident win at Chelmsford in May, backed by strong market support, and followed up with an eye-catching handicap performance at Haydock 42 days ago, finishing powerfully from off the pace. Russell Ryan retains the ride, but this is a deeper contest and Kurakka has been raised 7lb. Even so, with just four career starts, he remains open to improvement. He handles quick ground well and should be suited by this more galloping track. He appears capable of progressing beyond his current mark and could be a real threat to more exposed rivals.

On 16th July Fillies' Handicap, the Class 5 Handicap over seven furlongs and six yards for three-year-olds and up carries a modest £4,700 purse. The standout runner appears to be In a Hurry, trained by David O'Meara, who's enjoyed a return to form recently with five winners in the last fortnight following a quiet June. In a Hurry is a progressive filly who's been consistently popular in the market. Her breakthrough came on 6th June with an impressive front-running display under Danny Tudhope, staying wide in the back straight and quickening smartly before the furlong marker. That win came on ground just on the softer side of good - any unexpected rain wouldn't hinder her chances. Now rated 73, she's likely still underestimated considering she's raced only five times. Most rivals are more exposed and lack her scope for improvement. On a speed-favouring track like Catterick, especially with decent ground, she could be tough to catch if allowed to dictate from the front.

In the Class 6 nursery at 2:50 over five furlongs, with just £4,000 on offer for two-year-olds, Invincible Annie stands out as one to watch. Trainer Roger Fell, rarely seen at this track, has taken a bold step by booking jockey Jason Hart. Annie has had three prior starts with odds ranging from 33/1 to 166/1. On her debut, 3rd May, she showed strong early speed over five furlongs, leading until the furlong pole but faded late to finish 4 3/4 lengths behind. Her second outing, on an unsuitable track, appeared more about securing a handicap mark. She stumbled at the start and never got into the race. She now competes from a modest mark of 54. Despite the modest calibre, Annie's early pace is notable. If Hart can guide her to the far rail, she may be able to dictate the race from the front, a strategy that often succeeds on good ground in second-time handicaps.