Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap Preview – Horse Racing Betting June 15

Moraawed can motor down the Knavesmire

Horse Racing Betting

There is a temptation to view this Saturday’s racing as just a taster ahead of the main course at Royal Ascot next week. But the Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap at York, for three-year-old sprinters, is a valuable contest in its own right. Worth more than £62,000 to the winner, there will be 22 runners charging down the straight 6f course on the Knavesmire.

Tim Easterby has trained three of the last six winners but, surprisingly, doesn’t have a runner this year. But there are four representing another local trainer, Richard Fahey, and three from the Kevin Ryan stable. William Haggas runs two, as does Richard Hannon.

Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Trends

    • Of the last 14 winners, 12 have been rated between 87 and 97 – only three fall outside that range this year, however.
    • All but two of the last 14 winners finished in the first five in their previous outing.
    • Most recent winners had won previously over 6f.
    • Eight of the last 11 winners started from a single-figure stall.

Dazzling Dan reversed Doncaster running with MORAAWED at Newmarket four weeks ago but Roger Varian’s charge did not get the best of runs at HQ. The weights probably favour the latter this weekend and first-time headgear should also help the gelded son of Swiss Spirit. He looks the value at a best 8/1 compared to the 7/1 available for Pam Sly’s runner with Betvictor.

This is a race in which it could pay to split stakes, however. COSMIC LAW may prove the pick of Fahey’s quartet at a general 16/1 having missed the break when second on rain-softened going at Chester on his return to action. Top weight may also not prevent a big run from Mark Johnston’s Blown By Wind at 12/1 with Paddy Power.

Rathbone (a general 10/1) is on a hat-trick but stablemate Secret Venture looks better value at a best 20/1. The lightly-raced Victory Day (8/1 with bet365) could be a handicap snip but may be disadvantaged by a high draw. Recon Mission and Firelight (both a best 20/1) may prove the pick of the remainder.

Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap Current Odds

Dazzling Dan 7/1, Victory Day and Moraawed 8/1, Rathbone 10/1, Blown By Wind 12/1, Ventura Ocean 14/1, Cosmic Law and Dave Dexter 16/1, Luxor, Recon Mission, Firelight, Secret Venture and Triggered 20/1, Magical Wish, Wedding Date, Barbill and Quiet Endeavour 25/1, Yousini 28/1, Shallow Hal and Fuente 33/1, Nicki’s Angel 40/1, Charming Kid 50/1

(Odds correct at 4.30pm June 13)