August 28 / 15.50 Catterick

15.50

Good

Dave Watson Memorial Classified Stakes (Div II)

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 0m 7f 6y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Dave Watson Memorial Classified Stakes (Div II)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 056353 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Handles most ground but all of his turf wins have been on good or slower; his last success was at Redcar (7f) in May and he was fair third in 1m classified event at Ayr (good) two weeks ago; should go well again on this drop back in trip and he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(8)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

14:40 Catterick

Desert Dream

8st 9lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Seb Spencer

Veteran who is 3-15 over C&D on ground ranging from good to soft; hard to predict these days, but capable of running well off if putting his mind to it.

12/1

11

(8)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

14:40 Catterick

Desert Dream

8st 9lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Seb Spencer

Veteran who is 3-15 over C&D on ground ranging from good to soft; hard to predict these days, but capable of running well off if putting his mind to it.

12/1

7th

11

(1)

19th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Ayr

Desert Dream

8st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Seb Spencer

Went close last time at Catterick (7f, good) but following one good run with another can be challenging these days; has form on soft ground but 7f is his trip.

10/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 373523

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Ten-time winner who has run plenty of good races this season including a second over C&D (good to firm) and a close third at Ayr (6f, good to soft) in his last two starts; looks a strong contender on that latest form and he's a big player back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(10)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

14:43 Hamilton

John Kirkup

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: David Thompson

Placed at Musselburgh last weekend but recorded a meagre RPR; the veteran remains on a near two-year losing spell.

20/1

10

(10)

13th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

19:22 Musselburgh

John Kirkup

9st 1lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: David Thompson

Veteran who has not won since October 2023 and has finished in rear on his last four outings; others appeal more.

25/1

12

(8)

1st Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

15:30 Carlisle

John Kirkup

9st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: David Thompson

Veteran who is versatile ground-wise but he's not won since October 2023 and has finished in rear in last three starts; down the list.

25/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 765377

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Maiden who hasn't always looked the easiest and he's finished a well-held seventh in his last two runs (1m/7.4f); record now stands at 0-11 and others are preferred; first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

16

(7)

18th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

13:40 Beverley

Marton Heads

8st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

13-race maiden; awkward head-carriage at Catterick (7f) the last twice; best two efforts in terms of RPRs have come here at Beverley, but that's nowhere near enough to recommend him.

10/1

4th

9

(4)

10th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:57 Catterick

Marton Heads

8st 4lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Tim Easterby

Maiden who again didn't look the easiest of rides under pressure when third in a C&D classified race latest; others preferred.

9/1

3rd

10

(4)

28th Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:50 Catterick

Marton Heads

9st 4lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

sweating, prominent

12/1

9/2

Form: 042614 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Made all at Musselburgh (7f) early this month; well-held fourth in another classified event over C&D four days later but that was under a penalty and he doesn't have to concede weight all round this time; effective on fast and slow ground and he's not ruled out in new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(1)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Doomsday

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Liam Bailey

All wins at 7f and his free-going ways leave him vulnerable at a mile; Musselburgh success in April seems a distant memory now.

25/1

6

(8)

30th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Doomsday

9st 2lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Kickstarted the season with a win at Musselburgh (7f, good) in April but he's been struggling for form in recent starts and now switches back to AW (0-9) on his first start for two months.

20/1

Form: 47-679

Last run: 81 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Regressive 11-race maiden who stopped quickly when beaten 17l at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) in June; had wind surgery since but she needs a major revival after a short break; tongue-tie removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(4)

18th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Madame Christine

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ann Duffield

Showed some promise in her first two starts as a 2yo including over C&D, but she has gone the wrong way since and is now 0-12; stable's cracking recent form is one area for optimism; hood given a go this time.

16/1

8th

9

(5)

24th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Madame Christine

9st 3lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Ann Duffield

Hasn't been finding much in 7f starts this year but two of her best efforts came on this track at two and it's possible the return here will see something more from her.

16/1

5th

9

(2)

28th Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:50 Catterick

Madame Christine

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Ann Duffield

midfield

9/1

25/1

Form: 8-00

Last run: 197 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Tailed off at massive prices in his three novice/maiden events (7f/1m) during the winter; this is more realistic but he still needs a transformation switched to turf after 197 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(3)

31st Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:25 Newcastle (AW)

Coramento

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: David Thompson

Looked in excellent nick when winning twice here in the autumn (7f/1m) but has not been at the same level on his two appearances this month (both 1m) and still needs to prove he can cope with a mark this high.

10/1

6th

3

(9)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

16:45 Southwell (AW)

Coramento

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Thompson

Won three handicaps at Newcastle after joining this yard last March; only midfield at that track three weeks ago but still feasibly weighted and Rossa Ryan is booked.

4/1

9

(6)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Coramento

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: David Thompson

1m win here on stable debut in March and he's followed that with five good runs in defeat, most recently a near miss over C&D three weeks ago; closely matched with the winner Ring Of Gold; should make another bold bid.

6/1

Form: 542294 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Versatile ground-wise and his last win was over C&D in April; has had some ups and downs since but he's reached the frame in three of his last four runs including when fourth in Pontefract handicap (5f) last time; now takes a big step back up in trip and he looks interesting back at this track; another change of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(7)

29th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Ripon

Variety Island

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Whitaker

Not at his best in two visits to Ripon, including when sixth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; comes here on the back of two good fast-ground runs this year and rain won't faze him.

5/1

9

(7)

29th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Ripon

Variety Island

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Whitaker

Not at his best in two visits to Ripon, including when sixth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; comes here on the back of two good fast-ground runs this year and rain won't faze him.

5/1

2nd

13

(1)

12th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

13:47 Catterick

Variety Island

8st 11lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Whitaker

led early, soon prominent

9/1

16/1

Form: 870307 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Four-time sprint winner but her last success was 13 months ago; returned to form with a third at Ripon (5f, soft) last month but she's been quiet in both runs since and has plenty to prove again at this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(6)

28th Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:50 Catterick

Golden Gal

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Ollie Pears

midfield

16/1

7th

3

(9)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:22 Redcar

Golden Gal

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ollie Pears

Not as good this year and ran poorly on the AW last time; handles these conditions but she's always liked Catterick and would have preferred plenty of rain.

20/1

10th

4

(9)

23rd Jul 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

17:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Golden Gal

9st 9lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Ollie Pears

Began this season with two down-the-field runs but her handicap third at Ripon (5f, soft) last month was much better; rarely runs on the AW but was a C&D winner in 2022; high on the list.

6/1

9th
8 (5)
Hyrcanian

20/1

Form: 9-3460

Last run: 68 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden who left Karl Burke for 2,500gns and she was beaten 14l on her stable debut at Redcar (7f, good to firm) in June; has questions to answer and she needs cheekpieces to help spark her back into action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Hyrcanian

9st 1lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Ron Barr

16-race maiden; hasn't shown much in her two runs this year; others look stronger

33/1

10th

12

(4)

26th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:23 Redcar

Hyrcanian

10st 2lb

J: Mr Aiden Blakemore

T: Ron Barr

15-race maiden who didn't run well enough at Catterick after her break to warrant a second look.

25/1

8th

11

(3)

11th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Catterick

Hyrcanian

9st 0lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Ron Barr

One of her better efforts when fifth of 11 over C&D in October when last seen but she's 0-14 and others are preferred.

33/1

Form: -39150 D

Last run: 92 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Ended a long losing sequence at Southwell (7f) in February but he was back in the doldrums at Redcar when last seen in May; has plenty to prove again after a short break and his last turf win was as a 2yo in 2019.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(6)

6th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Tough 9yo who has won four 6f handicaps here this year; form dipped last time, however, and returning to 7f isn't enough to tempt.

9/1

9th

1

(2)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

9st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Has won four of his five races, all over C&D, this year, his latest win coming last Tuesday when getting home by 0.5l; up 6lb but has won off higher marks in the past; should go well

7/2

1st

9

(7)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Spartan Fighter

8st 13lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sprightly 9yo who completed a quick hat-trick of front-running C&D wins last month and lost out only by a neck off today's mark here on Wednesday; upped in grade but likely to give another good account.

5/1

Form: 634709

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
No improvement for the switch to handicapping and he's struggled in both runs (6f) for current yard; has a lot to prove back up in trip and needs a visor to make a difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(11)

28th Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:50 Catterick

Notion In Motion

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

No improvement for the switch to handicapping and he's struggled in both runs (6f) for current yard; has a lot to prove back up in trip and needs a visor to make a difference.

16/1

9th

12

(7)

9th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:10 Thirsk

Notion In Motion

8st 10lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Antony Brittain

No improvement for the switch to handicapping, and beat only one home on stable debut in late June (yard sat out all of July); offered little on sole previous turf start, albeit over 7f.

50/1

11th

9

(6)

28th Jun 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:20 Newcastle (AW)

Notion In Motion

9st 1lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Antony Brittain

Sole placing for the Quinns did at least come over C&D and he's still lightly raced; could have a role to play on stable debut.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.70
Straight Forecast £19.71
Trifecta £173.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

John Kirkup

Telegraph:

Doomsday

POSTDATA:

Desert Dream

Daily Mail:

Doomsday

Daily Record:

Doomsday

RP RATINGS:

John Kirkup

The Times:

John Kirkup

The Guardian:

John Kirkup

Daily Mirror:

John Kirkup

The Sun:

John Kirkup

D Express:

Desert Dream

The Star:

Desert Dream