HUNKY DORI

Katate to keep Sam smiling

- By Mark Winstanley

SAM Thomas has his horses in amazing form, which leads me to believe that KATATE DORI (12.55) will take all the beating in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle run over three miles at Aintree under the best 3lb claimer in Christendom, Dylan Johnston.

Rated 116 over hurdles, it's a shrewd move by Suzy Smith to run TAPLEY (1.10) off a mark of 109 in the Bet MGM Handicap Chase run over two and a half miles at Wincanton. The horse had a pipe-opener at Plumpton in October, runs in a tongue-tie for the first time and is ridden by an excellent 7lb claimer.

Racing on his favoured soft ground, MONTASSIB (1.25) can outclass his rivals in the Listed Virgin Bet Wentworth Stakes run over six furlongs at Doncaster. The mudlark landed a Group One affair at Haydock Park last September, so running in this company with no penalty he looks a shoo-in.