Catterick, Wednesday 22 April 2026 — Tips & Selections

Catterick, Wednesday 22 April 2026 — Tips & Selections

A three-race card worth your attention at Catterick this afternoon, with good ground across the board suiting horses who want to race prominently on a track that heavily favours front-runners and those who handle the undulations. Seven runners or fewer in each race, so each-way terms are tight throughout. The value hunting here is about finding the right angle, not backing the obvious chalk.

2:52 — Download The Raceday Ready App Restricted Maiden Stakes (1m4f)

Selection: Cranachan (10/11 — Bet365)

Ralph Beckett's three-year-old gelding is the standout on form here and, crucially, there is more to come from him. He went to Kempton in March for just his second career start having been gelded over the winter, stepped up in trip, and ran a cracker to be beaten only a neck. The winner that day, Mythical Valentine, lines up again and they are set for a rematch, but Cranachan shaped as though the extra experience will count. On debut he finished sixth in what proved a reasonable maiden, so the neck second at Kempton was a genuine leap forward.

This is his turf debut, which adds a small unknown, but Beckett sends horses to Catterick primed and the good ground is no concern. With only his third career start under his belt, Ralph Beckett's two-from-seventeen yard stat in the last 14 days is soft, but Cranachan himself carries strong claims on individual merit.

Mythical Valentine at 15/8 is the obvious danger and Andrew Balding's yard has been in decent nick, posting seven winners from 30 runners in the past fortnight. He was just a length back at Kempton and had traffic problems that day. The case for splitting them each-way is marginal with only five runners and quarter-odds for two places, so this is win-only territory. Back Cranachan at 10/11 and take the short price with confidence.

3:22 — EBF Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes (7f)

Selection: Borjina (11/8 — Bet365)

With Got The Booty a non-runner, this opens up considerably. Stella Lucente is the form pick on recent AW runs but she has been placed twice in mixed-sex maidens and never won. Borjina, trained by Edward Bethell, is a different proposition. She posted an encouraging fourth at Newcastle in September on her only start, tackling her own sex for the first time here after seven months off. The key number: Bethell's yard has fired six winners from 24 runners in the last 14 days. That is a 25% strike rate. When a yard is operating at that level, you want their horses with any sort of live chance.

The step into fillies-only company suits. Stella Lucente is the one to beat on figures but she has a losing habit forming. Borjina at 11/8 with a hot yard behind her and a race setup that now lacks its benchmark runner represents solid value.

Soda is interesting on pedigree, being a sister to a 97-rated horse and from a mare who won at seven furlongs. Worth a market check but the lack of racecourse experience keeps her onside for an each-way flutter only.

4:25 — Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap (6f)

Selection: Dorney Lake Each-Way (10/3 — BetTom / Bet Goodwin)

Yorkshire Glory is the non-runner who dominated the ante-post market and without him this race blows wide open. Aberama Gold trades at evens and the form is solid enough, David O'Meara's nine-year-old fourth over the course and distance two weeks ago in a slightly stronger event. He retains most of his ability but is hard to back at that price in a sprint handicap.

The angle is Dorney Lake at 10/3. Four wins at six furlongs on good or faster ground and he has been working his way back into form on the all-weather this winter for a new yard. His last turf mark before switching stables was 14lb higher than today's. That is a massive swing in his favour. Kept on for third at Southwell most recently, suggesting the pipes are clear. Good ground at Catterick over six furlongs is exactly the scenario his record was built on.

Rosenpur at 6/1 also merits respect. Five wins all around a left-hand bend, effective at this track, returning from 170 days off. Jennie Candlish has been hitting form with four winners from 25 runners recently. He is the main danger.

With six runners and quarter-odds for two places, each-way terms are functional rather than generous. Back Dorney Lake each-way at 10/3 and let the each-way insurance do its job if Rosenpur pips him.

Today's NAP