Today's Racing Tips: Kateira to retain her Wetherby crown

Wetherby, 13:10 - Back Palamon @ 3/14.00

1

Palamon (Ire)

• J: Harry Skelton
• T: Dan Skelton
• F: 63-553512

• SBK 5/2
• EXC 3.65

It's fantastic day of Halloween action on Saturday and I for one won't be heading too far from the sofa, with top jumps action in the afternoon, followed by the Breeders' Cup in the evening, and I'll be hoping for plenty of treats rather than tricks.

We can get the day off to a flyer as Palamon has a very strong chance of defying top weight for the irrepressible Skelton team in this handicap chase.

He may only be a six-year-old, but Palamon already has plenty of chasing experience and he looked unlucky not to defy a penalty when second at Plumpton last time, where the winner caused him trouble in running on more than one occasion.

He can make amends at a course that should suit his strong-travelling style.

Notable winners from Mark in recent weeks

Gustapof @ 15/2
Ugo Bingo @ 6/1
Gaspacho @ 9/2
Distillate @ 7/2
Brilliant Star @ 9/4
Midnight Media @ 13/8
Rock Montreal @ 11/8

Mark's Bet of the Day: Montagu Mares' Hurdle, Wetherby, 13:45 - Back Kateira @ 11/102.11

2

Kateira

• J: Harry Skelton
• T: Dan Skelton
• F: 2/143896-0

• SBK 11/10
• EXC 2.32

A pair of Grade 2s (West Yorkshire Hurdle and Charlie Hall Chase) highlight Wetherby's Saturday action but they are ably supported by this listed mares' hurdle and last year's winner Kateira is a strong fancy to retain her crown.

That win came in just a two-runner contest, but it effectively became a solo as her only rival Golden Ace shaped as if amiss and ended up being beaten miles by Kateira.

This year's renewal has attracted a slightly bigger field but the selection's four rivals have a bit to find on form and they'll have to go some if they want to take down the defending champ.

La Conquiere is probably the most interesting of them, but she'll need to improve to match the level that Kateira has already shown herself capable of.

Ascot, 14:00 - Back Martator E/W @ 8/19.00

2

Martator (Fr)

• J: Charlie Deutsch
• T: Venetia Williams
• F: 608/529U1-

• SBK 8/1
• EXC 1.26

Martator is one of those rare Venetia Williams runners who doesn't need deep ground to be at his best and he looks good value to go close in a race where he's developed a good record in the last couple of years.

The selection took this contest on his seasonal bow two years ago and then followed up over C&D later the same month before his form rather tailed off in the second half of the season.

However, he was back on song in the early part of last term, taking second in this contest having had a pipe-opener in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.

Again, he rather lost the plot in a couple of starts after but was right back on song when last seen, taking the 20-runner Grand Annual at the Festival, where a return to good ground appeared to be in his favour.

The stable had a couple that shaped okay returning from breaks earlier in the week and the quick Ascot ground will hold no fears for Martator.

Ascot, 15:43 - Back Trustintimes @ 4/15.00

7

Trustintimes

• J: Bryan Carver
• T: Harry Fry
• F: 251/11120-

• SBK 4/1
• EXC 5.2

Harry Fry's Trustintimes is still relatively unexposed over hurdles and he had a fine novice season, rattling off a hat-trick, including in A competitive handicap over this C&D around this time last year.

He then ran at least as well when runner-up in a similar contest at Kempton's Christmas meeting before missing three months.

He rather bombed out on his final 2025/26 start, but he does appear more about speed than stamina and it's possible a combination of lacking peak fitness and stepping up to 2m 4f appeared to catch him out.

Trustintimes retains plenty of potential back at 2m for Harry Fry and he warmed up for this assignment with an eye-catching run over a mile on the flat at Nottingham earlier in the month.

That should have put him spot on for this return to timber and his current mark of 127 still looks more than workable.

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