Catterick and Lingfield previews: Tickanrun looks tasty
Published:
David Metcalf | March 1, 2016
Tickanrun poised to open account at Catterick
Tickanrun ran a cracker when runner-up last time out and can go one better to open his account in the 3m 1f handicap hurdle on today’s card at Catterick (17.00).
The Chris Grant trained gelding shaped with plenty of promise in three bumper runs last season, but has taken time to find his feet over the obstacles during this campaign.
However, Tickanrun looked a long-term handicap project and posted a career-best effort when a 1/2 length second of 13 to Arctic Court in a competitive affair for the grade when last seen in action at Musselburgh.
The six-year-old battled all the way to the line and was only chinned close home, and it was an effort which suggested his time was near.
Although Tickanrun has been raised 2lb for that run, a revised rating of 95 should not be beyond the son of Tikkanen now that he is getting his act together.
The booking of Denis O’Regan to do the steering also catches the eye, and everything looks in place for a huge run.
Motion can collect for in-form Hammond
In the 2m 3f handicap hurdle that opens proceedings (14.00), Lowcarr Motion can provide in-form trainer Micky Hammond with another winner.
Hammond has saddled four winners from his last 12 runners, and in Lowcarr Motion has a gelding who looks nicely treated on the pick of his form.
Although the six-year-old is yet to get his head in front in 11 starts over the over hurdles, he has posted some really solid efforts make the frame.
They include a third over course and distance off a mark of 85 and a 2 1/2 length second at Wetherby off 96.
Lowcarr Motion was also far from disgraced when fifth of 12 to Looking Well in a class 4 contest at Kelso on his final start last season off 100, and is now able to race in this lower grade class 5 affair off 97.
That gives the son of Rainbow High every chance from a handicapping perspective in what is a weak race lacking any real strength in depth.
Catterick Selections:
14.00: Lowcarr Motion (NB)
14.30: General Mahler
15.00: Carthage
15.30: Bollin Line
16.00: Royal Milan
16.30: Special Wells
17.00: Tickanrun
Apache can Storm to success at Lingfield
Apache Storm has been knocking on the door of late and looks decent value to get back to winnings ways in the 6f handicap at Lingfield today (14.40) now stepped back up in trip.
The Mick Appleby trained filly is on a losing run of 13, having not scored since landing a contest at Southwell last January off a mark of 79.
However Apache Storm has put in some solid efforts to be placed, including when a neck runner-up to Mobtsa in a competitive affair at Newamarket off 88.
The four-year-old also comes into the race on the back of three solid efforts over 5f, hitting the frame twice at Chelmsford before running better than the bare result suggests last time out when a 2 1/2 length fifth to Hoofalong at Southwell off her current mark of 84.
Apache Storm needed a stiffer test in the latter, and now meets the winner on 4lb better terms.
That may be enough to see the daughter of Pivotal turn the tables now stepped back up to 6f, as it is the trip over which the nicely-treated Apache Strom has notched both her career successes.
Course specialist Picansort weighted to strike
Picansort has a tremendous record at the track, and can take advantage of a drop in the weights and class to further enhance it with victory in the 5f handicap (16.40).
The Peter Crate trained veteran is a five-time course and distance winner, with the last of those successes coming in a class 4 contest in March 2014 off a mark of 84.
Picansort has since gone on to score at Brighton last year, and also posted a number of solid efforts to make the frame.
They include an excellent one length runner-up over course and distance three starts back in a class 5 contest off 67, and Picansort is now able to race in this lower grade class 6 affair off just 65.
It makes Picansort dangerously well-treated, and with regular pilot Shane kelly in the saddle this looks a nice opening for the nine-year-old to get back on the scoresheet.
Lingfield Selections:
14.10: Abareeq
14.40: Apache Storm (NAP)
15.10: With Hindsight
15.40: Purple ‘N Gold
16.10: Volunteer Point
16.40: Picansort (NB)
17.10: Basingstoke
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