August 24 / 15.00 Catterick

15.00

Good

Dave Watson Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £3456
  • 0m 5f 212y
  • Class 6
  • 12 runners
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Dave Watson Memorial Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 031711 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Proving better than ever this summer and was bagging his third C&D success when getting up late nine days ago; the excellent Sean Kirrane again takes off 3lb and another bold showing is on the cards under a 5lb penalty in his hat-trick bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(3)

4th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

14:45 Catterick

Rain Cap

9st 9lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: John David Riches

9yo who has been beaten on his last 13 starts and hasn't really shone elsewhere on his last two outings; however, this four-time course winner was second in this last year and a respectable fourth over C&D three starts ago; could have a part to play now back here.

6/1

Form: 877633 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Yet to score this term but arrives in good nick, third to Rain Cap over C&D 22 days ago; enjoys a 7lb pull in the weights with that rival so must enter calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(8)

31st Oct 2023

Heavy

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:42 Catterick

Wades Magic

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tim Easterby

took keen hold, prominent

11/4

2nd

3

(3)

4th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

16:50 Catterick

Wades Magic

9st 9lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

dwelt start, midfield after 2f, in touch with leaders on inner

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 634240 D BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Winless since last summer and he found his run of good form coming to an end when tenth at Wolverhampton (6f) 50 days ago; can bounce back after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(9)

8th Aug 2023

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:25 Catterick

Portelet Bay

9st 2lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: David Evans

Four wins, one of them here, have been at 6f; has some decent form over 7f and comes into the reckoning after a fair run at Wolverhampton last time (6f, met trouble in running).

9/1

6th

8

(5)

19th Jul 2023

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Portelet Bay

9st 9lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: David Evans

4-18 on turf and 0-21 on the AW, albeit running well here on a few occasions as when beaten less than a length into second of ten over 7f in January; makes his debut at this level and cannot be dismissed.

9/1

7th

4

(10)

25th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 80y

Class 6

16:35 Ffos Las

Portelet Bay

9st 9lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: David Evans

Close second over 7f in January; far from consistent otherwise this year and he's still seeking a first win beyond 6f; very well treated on best form but isn't a solid option.

14/1

Form: 320681 C

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Returned to form to end a long losing run in 5f handicap here nine days ago; needs to back it up under his 5lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

(2)

17th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Hot Scoop

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Sam England

Former sprinter who's not as good now and has become inconsistent; no problem with an easy, turning 7f when winning on turf in August but this is the first time he's been 1m and his stamina will be tested over a straight course.

20/1

7th

8

(5)

23rd Sep 2023

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

17:15 Catterick

Hot Scoop

9st 2lb

J: Archie Young

T: Sam England

in touch with leaders

14/1

4th

1

(11)

18th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:05 Thirsk

Hot Scoop

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Sam England

Effective at sprint trips; contrasting performances over 7f at Catterick the last twice, winning a classified event then finishing last of 13 in a handicap; the latest effort tempers enthusiasm.

14/1

Form: 060466 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
16 runs since his C&D win and he came in last of six to Rain Cap over C&D 22 days ago; more is needed despite a tumbling mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(10)

26th Jul 2023

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

17:05 Catterick

Ginato

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

outpaced in rear, always behind

12/1

5th

8

(4)

12th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Catterick

Ginato

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Not particularly solid on 2023 evidence and losing run is mounting up; close fourth off a stone higher mark in this contest 12 months ago but he's handicapped on the inferior form since.

10/1

7th

7

(1)

5th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:45 Thirsk

Ginato

9st 2lb

J: Ben Curtis

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Hasn't won since 2021; best run this year when close third to Made Of Lir (with whom he is 3lb better off today) at Ripon last time (6f, good); best on good going or softer; chance if it rains, though stall 1 not ideal.

7/1

Form: 4-0564

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Back on track in first-time blinkers when fourth of 13 in 7f Redcar handicap 38 days ago; less exposed than most of these so needs considering with the headgear retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

11

(2)

7th Oct 2022

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Circoloco

9st 0lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Michael Dods

slightly awkward start, soon recovered, midfield, outpaced and pushed along on far side of group 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

25/1

12th

3

(9)

30th Aug 2022

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

17:50 Carlisle

Circoloco

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Michael Dods

awkward start, in touch with leaders, pushed along from 3f out, soon ridden, weakened from 1f out, eased final 110yds

16/1

10th

13

(2)

27th Aug 2022

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

18:50 Redcar

Circoloco

8st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

prominent, pushed along when short of room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

16/1

Form: 210303 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Unreliable sort who turned in one of his better efforts when staying-on third in 5f Ripon handicap 16 days ago; return to 6f should suit but others are still preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(6)

23rd Sep 2023

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

14:55 Catterick

Point Of Woods

8st 9lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Tina Jackson

held up in last

33/1

12th

13

(8)

5th Sep 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Ripon

Point Of Woods

9st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Tina Jackson

Veteran who's looked on the downgrade this year; another ordinary effort last time and only holds outside claims.

33/1

10th

16

(15)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

20:00 Redcar

Point Of Woods

9st 0lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Tina Jackson

Veteran who has won over C&D in the past but his last success was 15 months ago; has had some traffic issues a couple of times this summer but he's not finished closer than ninth this season and is easy to have reservations; visor is removed and cheekpieces return.

25/1

Form: 040376 D BF

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Yet to score for current yard and beat only one in 6f Wolverhampton handicap 11 days ago; easy to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(3)

5th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:15 Ayr

Freedom Flyer

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Ruth Carr

raced in second, lost position over 1f out, soon no extra

11/4

5th

2

(9)

24th May 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:55 Ayr

Freedom Flyer

10st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Consistent form this season includes a Thirsk success in April (ended a long losing spell); creditable second over C&D (good) most recently; solid contender off unaltered mark.

9/4

2nd

3

(7)

8th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:25 Ayr

Freedom Flyer

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Ruth Carr

In fine form this term, scoring at Thirsk in April and twice in the frame off a 5lb higher mark since, fourth of 12 at Catterick (5f) 26 days ago; he merits serious consideration off an unchanged mark with this return to 6f a plus.

3/1

Form: 724480 CD

Last run: 86 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
C&D winner but he was out of sorts when last seen in May; needs to get back on track after his layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(4)

30th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:25 Redcar

Stronsay

10st 2lb

J: Mr Jack Lander

T: Liam Bailey

Ran okay in a couple of weak sprints on AW in February but quiet more recently and easy enough to swerve.

33/1

7th

12

(2)

19th May 2023

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 6

20:26 Hamilton

Stronsay

9st 0lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Well treated on his old form but he's 0-21 since his last win (6f, soft) in October 2021 and was tailed off at Redcar last time; opposable.

25/1

6th

8

(5)

10th Apr 2023

Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

14:16 Redcar

Stronsay

9st 0lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

On a losing run of 20 since winning at Catterick in October 2021 (6f, soft); others appeal more.

14/1

Form: 5-300

Last run: 61 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Has failed to go on since her debut Kempton fifth and beat only one on her handicap debut at Newcastle (7f) in June; others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(2)

17th Sep 2022

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

17:15 Catterick

Ardat

8st 13lb

J: Connor Murtagh

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

led narrowly or disputed lead on inner, headed 3f out, soon pushed along, ridden and weakened quickly from 2f out, eased from 1f out

50/1

13th

8

(8)

30th Aug 2022

Good

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

17:50 Carlisle

Ardat

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Adrian Paul Keatley

held up in rear, took keen hold, shaken up from over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten

20/1

Form: -03044 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Three-time C&D scorer but yet to hit top form in 2022, finishing a never-dangerous fourth to Rain Cap over C&D nine days ago; 5lb better off now and cheekpieces are retried but he still needs to step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(5)

6th Sep 2022

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

14:20 Catterick

Sfumato

9st 0lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Ollie Pears

Three of his five wins have come at this track (6f) and he has a 7f win to his name on AW; a couple of sound course runs this year but any rain wouldn't play to his strengths.

20/1

Form: 389547

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
In decent nick without winning until below-par seventh (on good to soft ground) at Carlisle 23 days ago; no forlorn hope off an easing mark under these less testing conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(9)

3rd May 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Billian

8st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Philip Kirby

Won twice over this trip at Wolverhampton and Chelmsford last spring, though is just 3-42 overall and recent efforts don't suggest his strike-rate is about to improve; first-time visor made no difference ten days ago.

20/1

7th

10

(9)

3rd May 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Billian

8st 11lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Philip Kirby

Won twice over this trip at Wolverhampton and Chelmsford last spring, though is just 3-42 overall and recent efforts don't suggest his strike-rate is about to improve; first-time visor made no difference ten days ago.

20/1

11th

13

(9)

23rd Apr 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Billian

9st 0lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Philip Kirby

C&D winner last spring who lacks consistency now and was below market expectations here last time; perhaps the switch of headgear will do the trick.

16/1

Betting Forcast

3/1 Rain Cap, 5/1 Wades Magic, 9/1 Portelet Bay, 6/1 Hot Scoop, 12/1 Ginato, 10/1 Circoloco, 9/1 Point Of Woods, 14/1 Freedom Flyer, 12/1 Stronsay, 50/1 Ardat, 14/1 Sfumato, 9/1 Billian

Verdict

Not so competitive as the numbers suggest and the thriving RAIN CAP is again taken to pounce late from a high draw and complete a quick C&D hat-trick with the excellent Sean Kirrane once more taking off a valuable 3lb. Billian is weighted to have a say too and next on the list, while both Wade’s Magic and Circoloco need factoring in too.[Peter Entwistle]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rain Cap

POSTDATA:

Ginato

Daily Mirror:

Hot Scoop

The Times:

Billian

Daily Mail:

Sfumato

Daily Express:

Ginato

Daily Record:

Hot Scoop

RP Ratings:

Rain Cap

Telegraph:

Rain Cap

The Guardian:

Rain Cap

The Sun:

Rain Cap

The Star:

Rain Cap