Time Out bidding to make it four wins on the trot (From York Press)

Time Out bidding to make it four wins on the trot

10:30am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

ex-invalid Time Out will be at Catterick today bidding to make it four wins on the trot – after running only five times, all unsuccessfully, in three previous seasons.

The North Yorkshire meeting hinges on an 8am inspection, with officials hoping the frost sheets on all take-offs and landings do their stuff.

Leg problems had been the cause of Time Out’s infrequent appearances but the gelding, having responded to time and patience, has rewarded trainer James Ewart this season by completing a hat-trick of victories.

Two wins on this course, followed by another at Sedgefield four weeks ago, have confirmed Time Out to be a horse in peak condition and it would take a brave man to firmly state that he can not add to his impressive sequence.

He is set to race off only a 3lb higher mark this afternoon in the Dine And View At Catterick Races Handicap Chase than when he won at Sedgefield last time out. Regular rider Brian Hughes takes the mount and the combination will be hard to beat.

Bellflower Boy aims for a hat-trick of wins in the catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Richard Newland, the gelding is set to go up to a mark of 140 on Saturday, but, even with a 7lb penalty for his latest 21-length romp at Warwick, he is set to race off an 11lb lower mark this afternoon.

The excellent Jack Quinlan, who knows him well, takes the mount on Bellflower Boy, who should be a cut above his rivals.

Tim Easterby does well with the horses he elects to send over jumps and the debut of Mojolika deserves attention in the racinguk.com Juvenile Hurdle.

The four-year-old won twice on the Flat last season, at Redcar and at Beverley, where he scored by a resounding seven lengths.

He looks interesting on his hurdling bow and is fancied to have the edge over Tim Walford’s more experienced Chadford, who is burdened with a double-penalty.

Brian Toomey’s 5lb allowance will help alleviate that hefty burden.

Crowning Jewel is a horse held in some regard by trainer Keith Reveley and the six-year-old may prove the answer to the European Breeders’ Fund Novices’ Hurdle.

An impressive bumper winner at Carlisle earlier in the season, Crowning Jewel has shaped well in his two hurdles starts, finishing second at Newcastle and third on this track last time. This distance of two miles and three furlongs may be on the sharp side, but he is a horse with plenty to offer.

At Wolverhampton tomorrow, Shane B Kelly takes the mount on Aquarian Spirit as the Malton gelding aims to keep a clean sheet this winter.

Richard Fahey’s charge has won both his starts at Lingfield in game style. Kelly’s 5lb will come in handy as Aquarian Spirit races off his revised mark in the Bet At Blue Square Handicap.

Fahey can also go close with Tamareen in the Get Your Bet On At bluesq.com Handicap. Although only sixth earlier this week at Kempton, the gelding had previously won on this course and had also run well here in defeat. Wolverhampton may bring out the best in him again.

Gala Spirit, trained by one of Fahey’s neighbours, Peter Niven, is napped to win the opening Blue Square Winter Carnival Handicap.

The five-year-old is likely to have benefited from his recent outing at Kempton, where he finished third on his first run after a short break. A winner on this course in October, Gala Spirit can resume winning ways under Norton jockey Tom Eaves.

Racing selections

Catterick (today)

1.10 Sir Boreas Hawk, 1.45 Mojolika, 2.15 Time Out, 2.45 Bellflower Boy, 3.20 Crowning Jewel, 3.55 Gentleman Jeff, 4.25 Vinetta.

Inspection 8am today.

Today’s other meetings

Lingfield and Wolverhampton. The meeting at Chepstow has been abandoned.

Wolverhampton (tomorrow)

2.05 Gala Spirit (NAP), 2.40 Tamareen, 3.15 Aquarian Spirit, 3.45 Thundering Home, 4.15 La Estrella, 4.45 Performing Pocket, 5.15 Beetuna.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Ffos Las, Sandown (inspection 8am today), Wetherby and Lingfield.