Take Pride in Haggas runner at Catterick

National Pride has to be of huge interest in the Army Benevolent Fund/EBF Novice Stakes at Catterick on Tuesday.

The Naval Crown colt made his debut in what has turned out to be a strong contest at Ascot, with the winner Dr Rascal successfully graduating to Group-race company in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood just a few days ago.

National Pride never really threatened to land a telling blow that day under a patient ride, but should have a much better idea of what is required at the second of asking and merits the utmost respect as the sole runner on the card for trainer William Haggas.

Rain Cap is at the other end of the career scale having been around the block more times than the local postman, with a creditable 81 runs under rules under his belt, which in itself is quite an achievement.

Yet with question marks hovering over plenty in the field for the Hugh James Classified Stakes, the nine-year-old son of Fountain Of Youth might just have one last dance in him.

Not all of his rivals here can claim to be at their optimum at 1400m and while the very best of Rain Cap’s form is in the rearview mirror, his fourth here in June over course and distance off 2lb higher stands comparison with the best that younger rivals can manage.

In contrast, Captain Cess looks a four-year-old with his best days very much ahead of him and appeals as a good bet in the Hannah Blanchard 21st Birthday Handicap.

Declan Carroll’s gelding looked value for more than the winning margin when running away with a 1400m handicap at Thirsk on his second start for the trainer, after arriving from Adrian Wintle’s yard in June.

It is interesting but not surprising Carroll drops him back to 1200m given he travelled well before kicking at the 200m-marker last time and a 4lb rise may not be enough to stop him.

Hansteen ran out an 8-length winner off 50 at Pontefract two runs ago and was turned out quickly to run a creditable second to a progressive rival in Si White on the all-weather off 53.

Coming back to turf and stepping back up to 2400m in the racingtv.com Handicap, he is set to race off 58, but it looks like the penny has really dropped with him he could well resume winning ways.

Safari Dream carries top-weight in the Happy 70th Birthday Brian Glanville Handicap at Ffos Las, which is deserved on the balance of his form and he crucially brings good recent efforts into the race, which is more than can be said for a few of his rivals.

Oisin Murphy’s mount won off a 3lb lower mark in May and advertised his well-being last time out when finishing third to Grey Horizon, the horse which bolted up under an assumed name of Khor Al Adaid in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood.

A repeat of that should be enough to win what is a modest contest.

It may well be handicaps before Charlie Fellowes gets the best out of Jazzy Blue, but it is worth backing the filly to sneak a win in division two of the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield.

Cut down late in a maiden at Wolverhampton on her fourth start, she nevertheless showed a good attitude once passed and will have a bit more steel for the experience. – Press Association

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Tuesday. Here are the tips.

CATTERICK: Race 1: 15.15 NATIONAL PRIDE (NAP), Race 2: 15.45 Rain Cap, Race 3: 16.15 Slack Alice, Race 4: 16.45 Captain Cess, Race 5: 17.15 Hansteen, Race 6: 17.45 Doralee.

FFOS LAS: Race 1: 15.30 Safari Dream, Race 2: 16.00 Perfect Nation, Race 3: 16.30 Bird Of War, Race 4: 17.00 Venturing, Race 5: 17.30 Fallen Logic, Race 6: 18.00 Gelato, Race 7: 18.30 Praise Indeed.

LINGFIELD: Race 1: 18.18 Mister Mojito, Race 2: 18.48 Wild Orchid, Race 3: 19.18 Jazzy Blue, Race 4: 19.48 Style King, Race 5: 20.18 Russian Rumour, Race 6: 20.48 Koko Blue, Race 7: 21.18 Gert Lush.

ALL TO COME: National Pride and Captain Cess (Catterick, Races 1 and 4).