3:42 Catterick
This Class 5 handicap division at Catterick over 7f on good to firm ground brings together a field of ten modest performers where the KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top. The principals are headed by Evocative Spark on a mark of 67, with Lady Gormire, Beyond The Bar, Golden Strike and Diamont Katie all rated within a narrow band on official figures between 72 and 74. Course form is a significant factor here, as several runners have proven ability at Catterick while others arrive with unknowns or limited exposure to the track.
How the race shapes up
With two confirmed front-runners in Lady Gormire and Beyond The Bar, both of whom tend to make the running or race prominently, a strong pace is anticipated and the confidence in that assessment is high. Several hold-up performers, including the selection Evocative Spark, Golden Strike, Diamont Katie, Masaban, Ubetterseethis, Vince Lombardi, Kiss Me My Love and Pit Boss, are likely to be dropped in behind early. The key question is whether the pace collapses late on the stiff Catterick 7f, which would play into the hands of those racing off the pace and producing their effort in the final furlong.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Evocative Spark KTB Selection59/100
Evocative Spark is a modest performer who knows this track well having won four times from eight runs at Catterick. He has shown enough on good to firm to be competitive without winning and has four wins from 22 starts at this trip. The trainer holds a solid 15% strike rate here from 89 runs while the 5lb claimer has a respectable 13% record from his 23 rides at the course. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is ideally suited to the anticipated strong pace that could collapse in the closing stages. From draw 9 he can be dropped in behind before delivering his challenge. This 7-year-old arrives with recent form figures of 714795 and official rating of 67.
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2Lady Gormire57/100
Lady Gormire is a modest performer who has won once here and once at this trip from limited tries. She has been in and out of form this year with a recent win followed by a poor run last time. Trainer and jockey both have solid records at Catterick though the yard's strike-rate is below par for the volume of runners. Tending to make the running or race on the pace, she is sure to be prominent early in what is expected to be a strong pace. From a low draw of 1 she can take up a good position. The 3-year-old carries an official rating of 72 with recent form figures of 232510 and has been placed once from two starts on good to firm.
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3Beyond The Bar57/100
Beyond The Bar is a modest performer who has already won over this trip and at this track from just two visits. Recent form has been patchy yet he has shown he handles good to firm ground and the draw looks fine. Trainer and jockey both have established records here though neither is especially strong. Like Lady Gormire he tends to make the running or race on the pace, ensuring he will be to the fore in a race where the pace is likely to be strong. Dropping in class from an official rating of 73, the 3-year-old has recent form figures of 751579 and one win from four starts on good to firm.
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4Golden Strike55/100
Golden Strike is a modest performer with a recent win on this trip but has otherwise struggled to make much impact this year. First time at Catterick and only one run on good to firm so far, both of which remain unknowns rather than proven weaknesses. Trainer is 0-13 at the track while jockey has a solid 17% strike rate here from 81 rides. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he should be suited by the strong pace that is forecast. Dropping in class from an official rating of 74, the 5-year-old has recent form figures of 017532.
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5Diamont Katie54/100
Diamont Katie is a modest performer who has been placed three times at this trip without winning. She ran respectably when fourth on her only visit to Catterick and has shown competitive form on good to firm. Trainer K R Burke holds a solid 15% strike rate here from a big sample while jockey Shane Gray is operating at 9%. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she is another who should relish the strong pace on offer. From draw 5 the 4-year-old carries an official rating of 73 with recent form figures of 342027.
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6Masaban54/100
Masaban is a modest performer with a solid recent record that includes a win and two placed efforts at this trip. Placed on his only visit to Catterick and has shown he handles good to firm ground. Trainer and jockey both have above-average strike rates at the track. Usually held up, he should be suited by the race shape.
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7Ubetterseethis53/100
Ubetterseethis is a modest performer who has been out of the frame on his last four starts and looks in need of the first-time headgear to spark a revival. He has shown he can handle good to firm ground with a win and two places from four runs, and he has also won at this trip. The trainer holds a solid record at Catterick while the jockey's strike rate here is low. Usually held up and dropping in class.
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8Vince Lombardi50/100
Vince Lombardi is a modest performer with a patchy record and only one win in the last year. Has run just once at Catterick, finishing seventh, while his five starts on good to firm have produced no wins or places. Trainer holds a solid 13% strike rate here but the jockey is operating at a modest 8%. Usually held up and dropping in class.
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9Kiss Me My Love42/100
Kiss Me My Love is a modest performer who has been in and out of form this year and now drops back from a mile to a trip at which she is 0-2. She has won once from nine starts on good to firm and the yard and jockey both have solid records at Catterick. First run here adds an unknown element but the overall profile is fairly exposed after 29 starts. Usually held up.
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10Pit Boss32/100
Pit Boss is a modest performer who has been in and out of form this year with a recent sequence of 233139. He has shown some ability at this trip without winning but has no win or place from five runs on good to firm ground and looks stretched by the stiff Catterick 7f from stall 10. The trainer has a poor 2% strike rate from 102 runs here while the jockey fares better with a 12% record from 147 rides. Usually held up and stepping up in class.
KTB verdict
Evocative Spark stands out as the KTB Selection. A modest performer who knows this track well having won four times from eight runs at Catterick, he has shown enough on good to firm to be competitive and is ideally suited by the strong pace that is likely to unfold. The 5lb claimer and trainer's solid course record add to his claims from an official rating of 67. His main dangers are the front-running pair Lady Gormire and Beyond The Bar, both of whom have course form and can take advantage if the pace does not fully collapse, along with the other hold-up performers Golden Strike, Diamont Katie and Masaban who are closely matched on their best efforts.
KTB Selection Evocative Spark
This is the narrative read of the 3:42 Catterick. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Catterick racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Catterick results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horses are likely to set the strong pace?
Lady Gormire and Beyond The Bar both tend to make the running or race on the pace with high confidence.
How many wins has Evocative Spark recorded at Catterick?
Evocative Spark has won four times from eight runs at Catterick.
What first-time equipment is Ubetterseethis wearing?
Ubetterseethis is wearing first-time headgear.
Which trainer has a 0% strike rate at Catterick from 13 runs?
Richard & Peter Fahey has a 0% strike rate at Catterick from 13 runs with Golden Strike.
Which runner is stepping up in class from an official rating of 60?
Pit Boss is stepping up in class from an official rating of 60.
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