Happy 50th Birthday Victoria Melling Handicap Stakes

Run This Way holds a clear edge over the field on these ratings, sitting narrowly ahead of a trio of rivals — Overbudget, Powernap and Barmyblade — who are closely matched with one another and will likely take chunks out of each other’s chances over the six furlongs at Catterick. The concern is that a nine-point gap to the chasing pack does not always translate on the day, particularly in a Class 6 contest where exposed form can be turned over, and any one of those three dangers is capable of running into the frame if Run This Way fails to fire. On balance, the ratings edge and the lack of a standout rival to focus the threat make a reasonable case for the selection, though confidence is tempered by the competitive nature of the cluster beneath. Run This Way is the selection.