TippingPlay of the day

Richard Birch's play of the day at Catterick

Asmund
1.47 Catterick

Asmund, who invariably sits close to the pace or front-runs, is ideally drawn in stall two in the 7f apprentice handicap at Catterick, and several pieces of form strongly suggest he is the one to back.

The Declan Carroll-trained seven-year-old is well handicapped after failing to score last season, but he looked as good as ever when going close at Redcar in September.

He ran a big race from just off the pace to finish fourth, beaten two and three-quarter lengths, behind Variety Island over this course and distance last month and renews rivalry with the winner on 8lb better terms.

A Catterick formline with Mutanaaseq from last August also highlights Asmund’s outstanding chance.

My selection made a bold bid from the front that day only to succumb to Mutanaaseq’s explosive finish in the final strides.

An early duel with third-placed Langholm – who is rarely led in contests of this nature at Catterick – probably took its toll on Asmund inside the final furlong, and the contest was set up perfectly for Mutanaaseq.

Asmund is now 4lb better with the topweight and could prove much harder to catch on this occasion.