May 24 / 14.50 Catterick

14.50

Good To Firm

Wishing Jill Metcalfe Happy 60th Birthday Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 7f 189y
  • Class 6
  • 7 runners
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Wishing Jill Metcalfe Happy 60th Birthday Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 5-2131 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Is enjoying a very good season and notched his first victory on turf over C&D 12 days ago; up 3lb but another bold showing is on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(4)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:35 Catterick

Zephlyn

9st 7lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

In good form on the Flat this time last year, following up 2m win at Newcastle by winning twice over this C&D in May (good/good to firm); not been in top form on AW this year, but better run over hurdles last time; 5lb lower than last Flat win and is one with a chance.

9/2

4th

1

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:25 Perth

Zephlyn

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ewan Whillans

Easily best effort in four maiden/novice hurdles last season when second at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft); did manage back-to-back wins over 2m on the Flat at Catterick last May but more recent AW Flat efforts have been no more than respectable.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: 314-42 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
C&D scorer who comes here on the back of a good second of four, beaten only a head, in 2m Newcastle handicap 22 days ago; a likely player off the same mark for yard among the winners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 2y

Class 2

16:03 Pontefract

Captain Potter

9st 6lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

He's posted easy wins here this June (2m2f, good), August (2m1f, good to firm) and September (2m1f, good to soft); plenty to find with the form principals but can give another good account at his favourite track.

10/1

1st

1

(2)

18th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 5

16:55 Pontefract

Captain Potter

10st 2lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

Form figures in staying handicaps at this track this year read 211, the latest success coming by 5l over 2m1f (good) last month; heavy defeat on AW last time but respected back here.

5/2

10

(11)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Captain Potter

9st 4lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Has won two staying handicaps at Pontefract this summer and he nearly prevailed in a small field here in May; edging up the weights but he's having a productive spell.

14/1

Form: 188-99 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
A three-time 1m6f/2m scorer in 2024 but he's beaten just one rival in handicaps at Southwell and over C&D this term; he needs to take a big step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:20 Wetherby

Red Force One

11st 11lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Philip Kirby

Well-beaten when back over hurdles last month but stayed on well from poor position to go close under Natasha Cookson at Kelso (2m5f, good) ten days ago and looks well worth a crack at 3m.

7/2

10

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:10 Uttoxeter

Red Force One

11st 1lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Won small-field Flat marathon off much reduced mark last month but has not run over hurdles since summer 2023 and his current ability in this sphere is hard to gauge; best suited by good or faster ground.

25/1

Form: 80468-

Last run: 154 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Is 0-14 and he came in a below-par eighth of 11 in 2m Newcastle handicap in December; he needs to hit the ground running on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Cosmic Soul

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Patrick Neville

Kickstarted 2026 with a Flat success at Southwell and he's bagged back-to-back handicaps here since, readily landing the odds over C&D 13 days ago; hiked up 10lb now but thriving and still the one to beat.

11/8

1st

5

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:10 Sedgefield

Cosmic Soul

11st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Patrick Neville

Won on the Flat at Southwell (2m, AW) in January and followed up here (2m1f, good) last Tuesday, which was his second run in a handicap hurdle; escapes a penalty for that recent win and there can be considerable optimism that he'll be suited by this step up in trip; could be tough to beat.

5/4

1st

4

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

13:38 Sedgefield

Cosmic Soul

11st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Patrick Neville

Runner-up to a dual subsequent winner on handicap hurdle debut at Perth (2m, good) in September and reverts to this discipline after clearcut 2m AW win in January; could still have untapped potential over jumps; must be considered.

4/1

Form: 676351 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Capitalised on a reduced mark when ending a losing run in 2m5f handicap at Pontefract last month; he can go well again despite a 2lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 4

14:20 Musselburgh

Quercus Robur

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Won on the Flat here (2m, soft) in November; fourth on hurdle debut here (1m7f, good to soft) later that month and improved when runner-up at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in December; he's high on the list today.

9/4

5

(2)

9th Oct 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

16:20 Newcastle (AW)

Quercus Robur

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Adam Nicol

Course regular who landed a fourth win here (his third over this trip) when 28-1 and beating Edwardtheninth one month ago; flopped under a 5lb penalty the following week (Team Endeavour second) but that tactical race may be best ignored; could well bounce back.

7/1

5th

1

(4)

19th Sep 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

17:08 Newcastle (AW)

Quercus Robur

10st 2lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Adam Nicol

Won his fourth race at this track and third over C&D when scoring at 28-1 last Thursday on his return from a break; 5lb penalty doesn't leave him well in but this is a weak event.

2/1

11/2

Form: 2V1433

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Finally opened her account at Chelmsford (1m5f) in February and has continued in good form, third of six in 1m6f Wolverhampton handicap 25 days ago; she ought to be in the shake-up once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(4)

22nd May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:08 Bath

Zooks

8st 10lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Ian Williams

37 starts, with her only wins coming last year on AW in February and at Ffos Las (1m6f, good) in July; went off the boil this January-March and no revival 15 days ago, after a break, but she'd be a major player if back on song.

14/1

7th

7

(1)

7th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Zooks

8st 13lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Two wins from 36 starts; runner-up at Wolverhampton (1m6f) in December but below that level in three starts since, including when a 12l third of ten here over 1m6f last time; still has place claims.

7/1

Form: 7/890-

Last run: 339 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Yet to register a victory but she arrives on the back of a very good hurdling second at Sedgefield (2m4f) 11 days ago; possibilities if translating that form back to the Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(2)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:35 Catterick

Lillistar

8st 11lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Over 6l behind Zephlyn over C&D last May; some fair form since (won over 2m at Wolverhampton in October) but not quite at her best back on turf last twice (over 2m5f and 1m4f); place chance.

8/1

5th

5

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

20:22 Pontefract

Lillistar

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Not at her best over hurdles or here (extended 2m5f) last month; drop in trip can help but others appeal more for win purposes.

10/1

6th

9

(10)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:32 Pontefract

Lillistar

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Below her best over hurdles 16 days ago but runner-up on the Flat at Newcastle (2m, AW) last month; consistent in this code last August-October and she's shaped as though this test of stamina could suit; on the shortlist.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.40
Straight Forecast £13.24
Trifecta £40.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Captain Potter

RP RATINGS:

Zephlyn

D Express:

Zooks

The Star:

Quercus Robur

Daily Mirror:

Zooks

The Times:

Captain Potter

The Guardian:

Captain Potter

The Sun:

Captain Potter

POSTDATA:

Zephlyn

Telegraph:

Zephlyn

Daily Mail:

Zephlyn

Daily Record:

Quercus Robur