Clay Pigeons not to be missed at Catterick

Willie Mullins' name may not be one of the more regular sights on a Catterick racecard but it feels foolish to ignore his Clay Pigeons in the concluding Racing Again 28th December Open National Hunt Flat Race on Tuesday.

The Closutton handler saddled his first winner in Britain for the campaign when Il Etait Temps won the Tingle Creek and while this is at the completely opposite end of the scale, when the Mullins battalion board the ferry they are not doing so for the day out.

The five-year-old was a bumper winner for Mullins' nephew Emmet back in April and it is interesting connections have opted to stay on the level rather than taking up a Newbury hurdles entry on Wednesday.

Bollin Neil is another more accustomed to being spotted on the level, but he is no stranger to an appearance at the North Yorkshire track.

Trained by Tim Easterby, eight of the nine-year-old's 12 victories have come at this venue, including twice over the course and distance when venturing over timber.

Second again here last time, any rain will be a bonus and he is sure to be thereabouts once again in the opening AJA Membership Includes Insurance Amateur Jockeys Handicap Hurdle.

Warren Greatrex has his string in rude health and Alba Crus could be the answer to the John Smiths Catterick - Raise A Pint Novices' Hurdle.

A bumper winner at Newton Abbot in the summer, he can be forgiven for somewhat disappointing on hurdling debut at Newbury in a race that appeared to hold plenty of depth.

Mixing it in that calibre of opposition will only be a positive towards future claims and against easier looking rivals here, he could return to his earlier best.

Manganese posted a memorable effort to win on her British bow and can follow up in the Download The Raceday Ready App Now Juvenile Hurdle.

A bumper winner in France, she was up against on odds-on shot on her initial start for Max Comley and despite being significantly hampered by a loose horse, she still rallied to claim a convincing win over the market leader, Trad Jazz.

There is also jumping action at Wincanton where the standout name on the card is Regent's Stroll in the PricedUp The Jumps 'Chasing Excellence' Beginners' Chase.

Paul Nicholls' six-year-old was placed in an Aintree Grade One over hurdles last term and although it was a somewhat puzzling first chasing effort at Newbury recently, he is undoubtedly a top operator when at his best.

He will need to relax a lot better this time having ran with the choke out last time, but this looks the ideal spot to garner further experience over the larger obstacles and it would be no shock to see him showcase his very best which would be more than enough to see off the opposition.

The Ditcheat team could also find the scoresheet with Swingin Safari in the Racing Blogger Maiden Hurdle.

A bumper winner at this track before finishing fourth in both Listed and Grade Two company last term.

The five-year-old still had claims of obliging favourite-backers at Chepstow on hurdling debut when falling at the last and given the eventual winner was deemed fitting of an appearance in a Sandown Grade Two recently this could offer the perfect opportunity for compensation. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

CATTERICK: Race 1 - 14.15 Bollin Neil, Race 2 - 14.45 Manganese, Race 3 - 15.15 Passing Pleasure, Race 4 - 15.45 Alba Crus, Race 5 - 16.15 Holly Bird, Race 6 - 16.45 Prospect House, Race 7 - 17.20 CLAY PIGEONS (NAP).

NEWCASTLE: Race 1 - 17.12 Educate, Race 2 - 17.45 Luminare, Race 3 - 18.15 Sunlit Sea, Race 4 - 18.45 Inspired, Race 5 - 19.15 Crownthorpe, Race 6 - 19.45 Blufferonthebus, Race 7 - 20.15 Superior Council, Race 8 - 20.45 Instant Bond, Race 9 - 21.15 Bibendum.

WINCANTON: Race 1 - 14.30 Regent's Stroll, Race 2 - 15.00 School For Scandal, Race 3 - 15.30 Piping Rock, Race 4 - 16.00 Swingin Safari, Race 5 - 16.30 Diplomatic Ash, Race 6 - 17.00 Bobbi With An I, Race 7 - 17.30 Star Artist.