Sue Smith steps Informateur up in trip in bid to land feature prize once again

2.15 Catterick
Tunstall Handicap Chase | 3m1f | 5yo+ | RTV

Sue Smith has won four of the five renewals of this race courtesy of Straidnahanna (2018, 2016), I Just Know (2017) and Herdsman (2014).

Ryan Mania, who partnered Herdsman, is on board the stable’s Informateur this time, and it would be no surprise if the pair attracted plenty of market support.

Informateur, one of five course winners in the line-up, takes a significant step up in trip after chasing home the enterprisingly-ridden Jonniesofa over 2m5f at Carlisle in December.

The eight-year-old is probably still on a fair mark but, based on a visual interpretation of that latest performance, wouldn’t be certain to stay 3m1f even on this relatively easy track.

Similar comments apply to top-weight Schiehallion Munro, who has yet to tackle a trip further than an extended 2m4f. He normally sets the pace.

One who is guaranteed to be staying on stoutly up the home straight is low-weighted Who’s In The Box, winner of the 3m3½f Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen in December.

His trainer Nick Kent sent out a similar type in Gonalston Cloud to win the 3m1f novices’ handicap chase on this card in 2016, and he won’t be unhappy with Who’s In The Box’s 6lb rise for that soft-ground success.

Arguably the best handicapped of the nine runners is 2016 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle victor Ibis Du Rheu.

Ibis Du Rheu: Cheltenham Festival winner makes his second start for Richard HobsonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Rated 147 at one time for Paul Nicholls, he makes his second start since moving to Richard Hobson’s yard off 131.

It’s his second start since wind surgery, but the likely testing conditions will not be in the ten-year-old’s favour.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Micky Hammond, trainer of Schiehallion Munro and Justforjames
Schiehallion Munro has had a good season and we are upping him in trip which is a bit of an experiment but there is no reason why he won’t get it as he finished his race off in decent style at Musselburgh last time. Justforjames has been in a few times in recent weeks when the meetings have been called off but thankfully he goes well fresh. He’s a previous course and distance winner and I’m hoping and expecting a good run from him.

Richard Hobson, trainer of Ibis Du Rheu
He's a horse who's had a few issues over the years and we are just getting him going again. We expect a nice run but given his size he may well come on again for this outing.

Sue Smith, trainer of Informateur
We’ve had him entered in two or three places over recent weeks when the meetings have been off but many have been in the same boat. It’s not been an ideal prep but he likes Catterick and we are hopeful he’ll get this longer trip.

Sam Allwood, trainer of Sheneededtherun
She may well need the run. She got cannoned into at Haydock in November and has had to have a few months off and this is a second preference race as we had her in at Exeter on Sunday but that was off. The track may be a bit sharp for her and we are using this as a stepping stone to the spring.

Sam England, trainer of Ask Paddy
He’s loves it at Catterick and has only a light weight to carry so we’re hopeful he can run a nice race. He’s an each-way chance.
Reporting by David Milnes

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