Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 04 September 2009 / Leave a comment

Aureate could be dangerous if allowed a soft lead, but Puy d'Arnac was impressive when regaining the winning thread in the mud at Musselburgh last time and will take some stopping under his penalty. Punch Drunk could fare best of the rest.

"Aureate has had a good strike rate on the AW this year, winning three times. Tailed off back on turf last time, but parachuted down the weights in the interim, so no surprise if he performed better."

Puy D'Arnac took advantage of a much reduced mark when scoring readily at Musselburgh recently. He relished the underfoot conditions there, and could make light of his penalty with the mud flying once more.

Aureate has had a good strike rate on the AW this year, winning three times. Tailed off back on turf last time, but parachuted down the weights in the interim, so no surprise if he performed better.

Bavarian Nordic rattled up a hat-trick on turf/AW last autumn. Signs he's getting back into the groove over inadequate trip last time and turf mark has slipped further still.

Destinys Dream picked off flagging rivals when coming clear of a subsequent winner at Chester last time. He's likely to get the strong pace that suits, but unproven on anything softer than good.

Harry The Hawk is a strong-traveller who doesn't always go through with his effort. Held on to win handicap at Doncaster in July, but came up short off revised mark last time and a similar scenario is envisaged.

Punch Drunk is a quirky sort who has run up a trio of seconds recently, getting going too late at Nottingham last time. Worth a shot at this longer trip and handles the mud.

Summer Lodge is a consistent sort who is enjoying a successful time of things, scraping home at Beverley in July, but there was a suspicion that handicapper had caught up with him last time.

Highland Love is 6 lb lower than his last winning mark and signs he was coming to hand on third start for present stable on AW at Wolverhampton last month but this trip stretches him to the limit.

Tags: Aureate, Bavarian Nordic, Catterick, Destinys Dream, Harry The Hawk, Highland Love, Punch Drunk, Puy D'Arnac, Summer Lodge