Catterick a very sharp course, the type on which the draw is usually crucial.
It is a left-handed turf course, around nine furlongs around, featuring a downhill run to the line.
There is a three-furlong run-in after the final bend.
Nippy, speedier types tend to do better here especially if they have the right draw, something we’ll go into a little more detail on.
Catterick Course Draw Bias Overview
There is a five-furlong course featuring a slight dogleg to the left at around the three-furlong mark.
Six and seven-furlong races begin on the back side of the course and feature a single, sharp bend while 1m2f races begin in front of the stands and feature two bends.
Pace is always important, but the draw bias here is evident and means a lot to punters.
Many course regulars do well on what is a unique, undulating track, while first-timers tend to struggle unless they at least have a good stalls position.
5 Furlongs at Catterick
Both the five-furlong start and the 1-mile, 5-furlong, 175-yard start are in the same place. The longer trip does not show off much of a draw bias for obvious reasons, though the sprinters do need a good draw.
A low draw here can prove to be crucial. Though no real bend is taken, only a slight dogleg to the left, it’s at this trip where the draw bias at Catterick is most pronounced. Therefore, we assume it is not the shape of the track but the quality of the ground that counts.
Naturally, if there is a small field and the stalls are not positioned on the far side, that would skew the figures so always keep that in mind. Pace from the gate is also important, but low draws do still tend to hold sway here especially in handicap races of 10 or more horses.
The low draw advantage here is more important when the ground is fast. On soft ground, the advantage diminishes somewhat perhaps proving that the bias is more about the speed of a section of the course rather than its layout.
6 Furlongs at Catterick
It’s important to mention here that despite the tight bend runners race, the low draw bias is not as pronounced as over the five-furlong course.
There is still some evidence to show that a low draw (near the rail) is best, but that would be the case at most turning tracks as runners don’t want to be forced wide. In recent times, more runners from higher draws have shown themselves capable of winning of six furlongs at Catterick.
Like over five furlongs, when the ground is quick the low draw becomes more important, but not absolutely crucial.
7 Furlongs at Catterick
The seven-furlong draw bias at Catterick is somewhat of a myth. Bear the usual things in mind; track position, pace and how wide a horse may have to travel because of those factors, but a low draw itself simply does not offer horses the advantage many seem to think.
Longer Distance at Catterick
Despite making a couple of turns, over 1m 2f and longer at Catterick there is no proof of a draw bias. The track is tight, but more important than stalls position is a horse’s ability to handle the course.