Redcar Preview: Hat-trick beckons for the Sheriff

Redcar stage a marathon eight-race card today, and the ultra-progressive Sheriff Of Nawton looks up to defying a rise in the weights and landing the hat-trick in the mile handicap (4.50).

Trained by David O’Meara, the gelding has improved out of all recognition since being sent handicapping.

The three-year-old overcame trouble in-running when winning by a cheeky 1 1/4 lengths over 7f at Catterick off an opening mark of 57, and then followed up in facile fashion over today’s course and distance off 7lb higher.

The son of Lawman travelled strongly off the pace in the latter, before cruising into the lead two from home and shooting clear to win easing down by 2 3/4 lengths from Trinity Star.

It was a performance which suggested Sheriff Of Nawton was well-ahead of the assessor, and a further 10lb rise in the weights is unlikely to be enough to stop him going in again.

Sheriff Of Nawton’s chances have also been made easy by the withdrawal of main market rival Rainbow Rock, and with the O’Meara yard in flying form he cannot be opposed.

In the three-year-old sprint handicap (2.50), Lomond Lassie looks a potentially improver.

Keith Dalgleish’s filly hinted that she had ability in three maiden runs last season, most notably when sixth of 12 to Lily Rules over 6f at Newcastle.

Although eventually beaten 11 1/4 lengths, Lomond Lassie showed plenty of pace to chase the leaders until weakening a furlong from home and the race has also thrown up plenty of subsequent winners and has a strong look to it.

The winner has scored since and finished second in the Group 2 Musidora At York off an official rating of 96, and the third and fifth home, Foxy Clarets and Tautira have also gone on to win races.

That makes Lomond Lassie look attractively weighted of an opening mark of just 57, and daughter of Sakhee’s Secret appeals as the type who will do better as a three-year-old.

Singeur has been shaping as if coming back to form, and looks worth siding with to score an overdue success in a very competive looking 5f sprint handicap for older horses (4.20).