It is the biggest day of the jumping season at Catterick Bridge, as nine runners go to post to chase a first prize of £16,000 in the North Yorkshire Grand National, and while I Just Know and Sun Cloud are vying for favouritism, Gonalston Cloud (2.35) could prove to be a better bet at odds of around 11-1.
Nick Kent’s gelding is unlikely to be getting any better at the age of 11, but he has been a tough and consistent chaser at his best in recent seasons and goes particularly well over extreme trips such as Catterick’s three miles and six furlongs. He also tends to run into form at this point in the season, with a win on Boxing Day in 2016 followed by a close second in this race off a 3lb lower mark.
That form reads well in the context of this line-up, in which only Sun Cloud, who returns to fences after a spell over hurdles, has winning form at the trip. Gonalston Cloud appears to have been targeted at a return to Catterick from a long way out, having raced only once, in a hurdle race over an inadequate trip in December, since the Midlands Grand National in March, and while Sun Cloud is a solid opponent, Gonalston Cloud has far more appeal at the prices.
Un Prophete (1.30) bounced back from a fall to win readily at Exeter last time out, a race in which the third and fourth horses home both won in their next outings. A 5lb rise should not be enough to stop him, while Nendrum (3.45), a 24-length winner in a decent time at Musselburgh last time out, will also be hard to beat in the closing race on the card.
Du Soleil (3.25) makes most appeal on the card at Leicester while Theglasgowwarrior (3.00) and Jellmood (4.05) both go to post with obvious chances on the all-weather Flat card at Newcastle, but the pick of the action for Flat fans on Thursday is the first card of this year’s Dubai Carnival at Meydan. Thunder Snow, who took the Group One Prix Jean Prat last summer but is perhaps best remembered for his bucking bronco impression after leaving the stalls in the Kentucky Derby in May, runs in the Group Two at 4.50, while Benbatl, fifth home behind Wings Of Eagles in last summer’s Derby at Epsom, lines up for a Group Three at 4.15.
Catterick 12.30 Turning Gold 1.00 Chu Chu Percy 1.30 Un Prophete (nap) 2.05 Hear No Evil 2.35 Gonalston Cloud (nb) 3.10 Pokora Du Lys 3.45 Nendrum
Chelmsford 5.55 Ross Raith Rover 6.30 Arnarson 7.00 Hairdryer 7.30 Spiritofmintoul 8.00 Arcadian Sea 8.30 Mercury 9.00 Black Truffle
Leicester 12.45 Not AnotherMuddle 1.15 Ballyrock 1.45 Acting Lass 2.20 Canyouringmeback 2.50 Fields Of Glory 3.25 Du Soleil
Newcastle 1.55 Artful Rogue 2.25 Esspeegee 3.00 Theglasgowwarrior 3.35 Battle Lines 4.05 Jellmood 4.35 Aleef 5.05 Native Appeal
