Catterick — 17 August 2026

Class 5 · 1m4f13y · Good · 7 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Star Start (9/2)

Won by: Stellarmasterpiece (FR) at 7/2 · then Star Start (IRE)

What we said: too many plausible winners here for a confident single pick: Austrian Theory sits on the best overall rating but his only runs at today's specific trip read 0-0-5, Mariner's solitary win came over two furlongs short of today's distance with his only run at this trip returning 5th-4th, and Stellarmasterpiece is dropping a full 6.5f in trip off a stayer's win that says nothing about her speed for this shorter test. Add a market that's already walking away from Mariner and a Kingman sire who wants faster ground than today's rain-softened surface offers, and nothing in the field clears the bar at its price.

Class 6 · 0m5f212y · Good · 8 ran

We passed. Likely winner: So Tempting (2/1)

Won by: Harry's Pop (GB) at 2/1F · then Aura Of Melania (GB), Cheeky Chesca (IRE)

What we said: So Tempting sets the standard on form and looks the classiest sort here off an improving 8-6-6-2 sequence, but she breaks from stall 8 on a track where the well-documented low-draw bias is strong, and that's a real handicap in a sharp left-hander with a bend straight out of the gate; behind her, Aura Of Melania (draw 4, form 6-4-4-5-3) and Harry's Pop (draw 5, PR65) both have live claims too, so nothing separates cleanly enough at these prices to back.

Class 6 · 0m5f212y · Good · 9 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Edmond Halley (11/4)

Won by: Quercus (IRE) at 12/1 · then Daytona Lady (IRE), Edmond Halley (IRE)

What we said: Edmond Halley sets the standard on form and is the clear market pick, but he's drawn 7 in a race where low stalls hold a well-documented edge on this sharp downhill turn, and his sire/going lines show no recorded run on good ground in nine starts — too much stacked against the one horse with a real form case, while the rest (Good Karma, Miss Rainbow, Papa Don't Preach) all sit bunched in the low-to-mid teens with nothing decisive separating them.

Class 4 · 0m5f0y · Good · 6 ran

Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Night Shining (1/2)

Won by: Star Noir (GB) at 100/30 · then Night Shining (IRE)

What we said: Consistently the classiest of this small novice field, with a string of 4-4-4-3 finishing efforts against similar company and a solid 3/6 run over course-and-distance just 14 days ago on faster ground, so today's return to slightly easing good going and the same trip look no problem. She's tracked a settled pace style all season and there's nothing in this weak six to suggest she can't finally turn a place into a win, with the market money backing that view.

Class 5 · 0m5f0y · Good · 11 ran

Our bet: Staniel Cay (6/1)

Won by: Our Absent Friends (IRE) at 7/2 · then Canaria Queen (GB), Cheerleader (GB)

What we said: Drawn 1 in a race where low stalls hold a genuine, well-documented edge at Catterick's sharp downhill 5f, and his recent form line (4-5413) shows a win and a third from his last two efforts before a break, backed up by a solid course-and-distance record (4413). He tracks the pace rather than leads it, which suits a stall-one draw on this track, and at 6/1 the combination of drawn advantage and recent scoring form is enough to take a stand on, even allowing that a 96-day absence is a genuine caution rather than a positive.

Class 5 · 0m7f6y · Good · 10 ran

Our bet: Runninsonofagun (7/2)

Won by: Black Storm (IRE) at 11/4 · then Classy Clarets (IRE), Vince Le Prince (GB)

What we said: Front-running type drawn in stall 3, one of the favoured low draws at this trip, and the only confirmed habitual pace-setter in the field, quickest away of all ten runners by some margin. Recent form of 351322 shows a horse in good order with a win and back-to-back seconds, and the first-time blinkers signal genuine intent from a yard trying to find the next gear.