Redcar's big handicap goes under the microscope - plus Chris Cook's three Tuesday highlights

The way Have Secret has been campaigned suggests this 1m2f handicap has probably been the plan for some time. 

Have Secret ran in three higher-quality Class 2 handicaps at Ayr, York and Doncaster before claiming second in the previous running and has followed that path again.

The topweight's Racing Post Ratings have been on the rise this autumn and his chance may hinge on how much Alcarath has in hand from his opening mark.

Alcarath powered home by eight and a half lengths in an Epsom novice last time, leaving a 1-4 favourite toiling, and he brings big potential to handicaps for Alan King.

There are several other interesting runners in a competitive race. Spirit Catcher is 8lb below his last winning mark and has form figures of 13322 at this track. Mafting is one from one here, while Obito and Spioradalta have enjoyed productive autumns. 

Out-of-sorts 2024 Vintage Stakes runner-up Wolf Of Badenoch has Jamie Spencer aboard for the first time since he finished fifth to Prix du Jockey Club third Detain in a conditions race at Chelmsford in April. 

He is superbly handicapped if recapturing his best form, given he has dropped 21lb since running at Royal Ascot.

Then there is Project Geofin, who shaped better than the result when fourth in a big-field handicap at York last time.

Project Geofin beat those on his side by a long way and takes the eye off the same mark for Geoff Oldroyd.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Going latest

The going was good to soft, good in places on Monday with little anticipation of conditions changing much. Track manager Stephen Berry said: “We were forecast 4mm on Sunday night but only got half a millimetre, so I don’t think the going will change much with only an outside chance of a shower before racing."

What they say

Harry Herbert, racing manager to Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, owners of Alcarath
He’s having his first start for us after Alastair Donald identified he was for sale after he won so well at Epsom last time and we did a deal to keep him with Alan King. He put up some pretty big figures that day, but he’s all about next year and he’s taking on some more experienced types.

Mark Walford, trainer of Spioradalta
He missed the break at York last time and Paul Mulrennan had to rush him up so he raced with the choke out the whole way. You can put a line through that and although he’s high enough in the handicap, we expect him to run a decent race.

Cam Hardie, rider of Spirit Catcher
He’s been highly tried in the past and it’s just a case of recapturing his best form. He’s on a nice mark and he’ll enjoy the ground, the softer the better for him.

Lisa Williamson, trainer of Lesrico
He’s running from out of the handicap in a more competitive race than last time, but we were keen to get another run into him before the turf season finishes. His full brother Red Derek runs in the following race, so hopefully it can be a successful afternoon for the family.
Reporting by David Milnes

By Chris Cook

1) Alan King has got 3,000 runners and 25 years into his career as a Flat trainer without sending one to Redcar but that wall will be breached when Alcarath lines up in a 1m2f handicap (1.55) at the north-east track. King's instinct seems to be to run locally whenever possible, so there must be something appealing about this race as a handicap debut for the three-year-old, who is rated 90 after readily dismissing a 1-4 shot in an Epsom novice at the end of September. Rossa Ryan, who was aboard for the first time that day, hasn't made it to Redcar so far this year but is booked to maintain the partnership.

2) The in-form Harry Derham has two runners at Warwick, with Mad Maxios making plenty of appeal in a 2m handicap hurdle (2.32). The yard was just starting to get going when this one made his handicap debut at Fontwell early in October, travelling well for a long way before tiring. A better showing can be expected from the four-year-old, with Derham having saddled six winners from his last eight runners.

3) Ten Club was only an 8-1 shot on a losing run when he turned up at Wolverhampton last week but he looked terribly unlucky not to get his first win since May. Travelling strongly in rear as the field levelled up for home, he had two doors closed on him before finally insisting on a way through and being beaten just a neck in the end. Billy Loughnane is a strong booking for a 7f handicap (4.10) at Lingfield.

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