3:40 Catterick
This Class 4 handicap over the extended five furlongs at Catterick brings together an experienced field of eight where the KTB numbers point to a competitive but open-looking event. The principals are headed by Aberama Gold, who carries the KTB Selection tag despite a modest recent sequence, while Quercus, Dream Deal and Archduke Ferdinand complete the quartet with similar Fit Scores. First-time headgear is a common theme among the leading contenders, and the race will hinge on how the older horses respond to the fitting of visors or blinkers on a track that often rewards those who can race prominently.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape suggests a strongly-run affair with several horses who like to go forward. Aberama Gold and Two Commanders are both typically ridden to lead or track the pace, while Quercus and Kody B also possess early speed. The key question is whether the rail draw of Two Commanders can be used to seize an uncontested lead, or whether the middle-drawn speed horses can press him and set up a stiff test that favours those coming from just off the pace.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Aberama Gold0/100
- 2Quercus0/100
- 3Dream Deal0/100
- 4Archduke Ferdinand0/100
- 5The Good Biscuit0/100
- 6Awraad0/100
- 7Kody B0/100
- 8Two Commanders0/100
The contenders
Aberama Gold KTB Fit 0/100
Aberama Gold is the KTB Selection in a race where his proven ability at this level still counts for plenty despite turning nine. The David O'Meara yard continues in solid form and Daniel Tudhope is an ideal booking, the pair enjoying a healthy strike-rate together. He has shown enough in recent starts to suggest the return to Catterick, where he has performed well before, will suit, and the first-time headgear is an interesting addition that could sharpen him up. Run-style wise he is usually prominent, which should be an asset if the race develops into a test of speed. His official figures still stack up in a race of this nature, and he remains capable of landing a similar event when the mood is right.
Quercus KTB Fit 0/100
Quercus arrives with the second-highest KTB Fit Score and has the benefit of a good draw in three. The Noel Wilson stable is not in the best of heart at present, yet Shane Gray is a reliable partner and the yard's record when teaming up is respectable. A return to Catterick could be significant given his past efforts here, and the first-time headgear is applied in the hope of finding a spark. He likes to race up with the pace which should see him involved early, and while his recent form reads 210-56 there is no doubt he retains ability on his day. The combination of a handy draw, prominent run-style and the new headgear makes him a definite player.
Dream Deal KTB Fit 0/100
Dream Deal has been in decent heart of late, finishing second on his last two starts, and lines up here with the first-time headgear that often freshens a horse. Tim Easterby’s team are going along nicely and David Allan is a good fit for the yard with a solid strike-rate and A-E value that underlines their effectiveness together. The seven-year-old acts on most ground and has previous experience at Catterick, which is another plus. He tends to race in the front rank or just behind the leaders, a style that should be effective if the pace is as strong as expected. His recent form of -06122 shows consistency and he enters the race with every chance of going close again.
Archduke Ferdinand KTB Fit 0/100
Archduke Ferdinand has been a shade disappointing on his last couple of starts but retains the ability to figure prominently at this level on a going day. Seb Spencer’s yard is ticking over well and Dale Swift is a positive jockey booking with a useful strike-rate when the pair combine. The first-time headgear could be the key to unlocking more from the seven-year-old, and he has shown he handles conditions at Catterick in the past. Usually seen racing prominently, he should be involved in the early fractions, which may prove vital given the anticipated pace. While his form figures of 5-9830 are not the most inspiring, there is enough in his profile to suggest he cannot be ruled out.
The rest of the field
The Good BiscuitKTB Fit 0/100
The Good Biscuit has been running consistently without quite managing to get his head in front of late, his form figures of 322844 showing plenty of placed efforts. Ruth Carr’s stable is in reasonable order and Joanna Mason is a regular rider for the yard.
AwraadKTB Fit 0/100
Awraad is a three-year-old who has shown some promise but has failed to build on it in recent starts, his form reading 526-60. Gemma Tutty’s yard continues to send out winners and the booking of Rhys Elliott with his 5lb claim could prove useful.
Kody BKTB Fit 0/100
Kody B is another three-year-old who has shown ability, particularly when winning last season, but has been below par on his last two outings. Craig Lidster’s stable is performing adequately and the first-time headgear is now fitted, while Tom Eaves takes the ride.
Two CommandersKTB Fit 0/100
Two Commanders is a lightly-raced three-year-old with an encouraging profile, his form of 312 underlining his placed efforts this year. Edward Bethell’s yard is going well and Connor Beasley is a strong jockey booking for a horse who likes to get on with things from the front.
KTB verdict
Aberama Gold is the KTB Selection and looks to have the right blend of experience, draw and run-style to give a strong account. The first-time headgear may help him find the spark that has been missing in some of his recent runs, and the combination of the O'Meara yard and Tudhope in the saddle adds further appeal. His main dangers are likely to be Quercus, who is well drawn and also tries headgear for the first time, and Dream Deal, whose recent placed form makes him a solid benchmark. Archduke Ferdinand cannot be entirely dismissed if the new headgear has the desired effect, but the selection looks to hold the key.
KTB Selection Aberama Gold
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 03:01 UTC, 15 Jul. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Aberama Gold | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Quercus | 35/1 | 7Bet |
| Dream Deal | 13/2 | Bet365 |
| Archduke Ferdinand | 15/2 | Bet365 |
| The Good Biscuit | 9/2 | 7Bet |
| Awraad | 14/1 | Midnite |
| Kody B | 9/1 | Bet365 |
| Two Commanders | 2/1 | William Hill |
This is the narrative read of the 3:40 Catterick. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Catterick racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is the KTB Selection and why does it stand out?
Aberama Gold is the KTB Selection. It stands out through its proven ability at this level, the positive trainer-jockey combination of David O'Meara and Daniel Tudhope, and the first-time headgear being applied on a track where it has performed well before.
How many runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Five runners are wearing first-time headgear: Aberama Gold, Quercus, Dream Deal, Archduke Ferdinand and Kody B.
What is the expected pace shape of the race?
The race is likely to be strongly run with several horses who like to go forward, including Aberama Gold, Two Commanders, Quercus and Kody B. The key question is whether an uncontested lead can be found or if the pace will be contested early.
Which trainer-jockey combination has a notably strong recent record together?
Tim Easterby and David Allan have a solid strike-rate and positive A-E value when teaming up.
Which horse has the most encouraging recent form figures among the principals?
Dream Deal has the most encouraging recent form figures among the principals, recording -06122 with two seconds on its latest starts.
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