Catterick preview: Captain Dunne can cash-in on class drop

Captain Dunne can take advantage of a drop in grade to get back to winning ways in the 5f handicap on today’s card at Catterick (16.00).

The Tim Easterby trained gelding has been a terrific servant over the years, winning 11 of his 82 starts.

Despite now being a 10-year-old, Captain Dunne retains plenty of enthusiasm and speed and kicked off the campaign with back-to-back successes in class 4 contests at Thirsk.

On each occasion he blasted from the gates to make all, and the son of Captain Rio has since run with great credit in three higher grade affairs.

They include a fine seventh of 20 in a competitive class 2 contest at York off a mark of 85, and two third place finishes in class 3 contests at Musselburgh and Chester.

In the last of those, Captain Dunne got beat just 2 1/2 lengths off a mark of 86 and is now able to race off 2lb lower.

That gives the veteran major claims at the weights, especially now dropped back down to class 4 company.

In the 6f handicap (16.30), Spoken Words is an interesting runner now partnered by exciting apprentice Patrick O’Donell and can go well at a big price.

The John Riches trained mare is an inconsistent sort who has won just once in 39 starts, with that success coming on the Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton back in December off a mark of 45.

Spoken Words went on to finish a highly creditable runner-up at the same venue two starts late off 49, and is now able to race off 47.

That makes the six-year-old look fairly treated on the pick of her form, especially now that she get the services of O’Donnell in the saddle who is superb value for his 7lb claim.