Catterick best bet (1925): Mutanaaseq poised to bounce back over preferred trip

19:25 Catterick: Book Now For 8th June Handicap (7 furlongs)

The two top-rated top weights Showtime Mahomes and Highfield Viking are expected to turn this seven-furlong sprint into a two-horse showdown, and they have both done enough in their early-season outings to merit serious consideration in this lower-graded 0-70 handicap.

The bookies will no doubt be hoping that one of their eight rivals can emerge to upset the market leaders’ applecart, and certainly both Russco and Bowman could each have a say.

Further down the betting, Vondelpark is attracting some support, but the word in the Tipstrr camp is that course-distance specialist Mutanaaseq could be ready to mount a challenge at a decent price.

Planet Sport Bet Daily Special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Mutanaaseq finishes in the first 3 places, get a £5 Free Bet

Ruth Carr’s experienced nine-year-old has seven career wins under his belt, four of which came over this very course and distance during a highly productive 2023 campaign.

The last two of those came back-to-back last September, after which he rounded off the season with a creditable third in much higher 0-85 company over the same trip.

At the beginning of this month, he returned from a five-month winter break to register another course-distance frame finish (just edging the re-opposing Russco into fourth), but looked strangely out of sorts in a similar affair just six days ago, when he beat only one of his 11 rivals.

Suggested best bet: Mutanaaseq each-way in the 19:25 at Catterick

He is given a quick opportunity to bounce back from that blip here, and no doubt regular jockey James Sullivan will be looking to rectify whatever went wrong in that uncharacteristically low-key performance.

While Carr’s yard has not been prolific in saddling winners lately, Mutanaaseq remains a jewel in their crown, especially at this venue, so it will be no surprise to see him squeeze his way into the prize money again here.

•  Tip advised by The Outsiders on Tipstrr