June 08 / 16.30 Catterick

16.30

Good To Firm

ETS UK Limited 40th Anniversary Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 5f 192y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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ETS UK Limited 40th Anniversary Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.90
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 8256-8

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won on good to soft ground at Carlisle (1m3f) and York (1m4f) last summer and is 2lb lower than for the latter; record suggests he would have needed last month's return, but not sure fast ground is what he wants and he is still to conclusively prove his stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Gibside

8st 12lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Strong finish from rear secured the Chester Plate (2m2f, good) last May off 3lb higher and he also won over 1m4f on soft at Catterick in October; needs to leave his four efforts this season a long way behind him, however.

20/1

6th

10

(11)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Gibside

8st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Strong finish from the rear secured the Chester Plate (2m2f, good) last May off 1lb higher than today and he also won over 1m4f on soft at Catterick in October; needs to leave his three efforts this season a long way behind him, latest when not faring nearly so well with the draw back in Chester Plate, and others have more pressing claims.

25/1

14th

12

(16)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Gibside

9st 4lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Strong finish from the rear secured this prize last year (good ground) off 1lb lower than today, but also from stall 4 compared to today's stall 16; also won over 1m4f on soft at Catterick in October; needs to leave his two efforts this season (1m4f, good) a long way behind him but this may be a much more favourable scenario if the draw does not scupper him.

12/1

100/30

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 573-42

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
0-7, but placed three times as when beaten a neck at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) eight days ago; 2lb higher, but shapes as though he will stay this far and still doesn't have many miles on the clock.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:42 Worcester

Knights Affair

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Fair Flat racer who battled well to pip Don Virginia in small field at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) last month and is now 2-4 over hurdles; ought to run his race again but others have more compelling form.

12/1

3

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

14:57 Stratford

Knights Affair

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Dual Flat winner who scored on hurdling debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) in May and came second on both subsequent hurdling starts (2m5f/2m; form well advertised by the two winners since); not at best when back on the Flat last month but a major player.

6/4

6

(5)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Haydock

Knights Affair

9st 3lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jamie Snowden

Won two handicaps (1m6f/2m) on the Flat last season and he's done well switched to hurdling for new yard since May including a win at Huntingdon (2m4f, good); still has potential as a stayer on the Flat and he's in the mix back in this sphere.

11/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 5-2120

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
1-6 on the AW but 0-10 on turf and was beaten a long way at York (1m4f, good) last month; has finished behind Gibside on all three occasions they have met; stable also runs Lord Torranaga.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(6)

9th Oct 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

16:20 Newcastle (AW)

Gastronomy

9st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

Won twice last year, including over 12.5f here, but his losing run is beginning to mount up; now 6lb below his last winning mark but not easy to recommend after a heavy defeat over C&D one month ago.

16/1

5

(2)

8th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 5

17:10 Newcastle (AW)

Gastronomy

9st 4lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Philip Kirby

Won twice last year, including over 12.5f here, but his losing run is beginning to mount up; cheekpieces left off last time are back on and he needs to show improvement.

6/1

Form: 24-531 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Both Flat turf wins have come over C&D on good to soft ground, including when ending a 24-race losing run eight days ago; that was a modest contest, but he is only 2lb higher; handles good to firm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

(2)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

13:30 Catterick

Lord Torranaga

9st 2lb

J: William Pyle

T: Philip Kirby

prominent

12/1

7th

1

(10)

2nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:23 Catterick

Lord Torranaga

9st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Philip Kirby

1m6f course winner; not quite at his best here last time, having raced freely when second over C&D prior to that; a similar effort to that penultimate start would give him claims.

9/2

5th

3

(9)

6th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:25 Catterick

Lord Torranaga

9st 7lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Philip Kirby

Has a good record here and was third in this last year; won here (1m6f, good to soft) this May and runner-up over today's C&D (soft) last time; seems versatile ground-wise; could play a leading role.

11/4

20/1

Form: 441/0- C

Last run: 425 days

W: 8st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Won here (2m, good to soft) in the summer of 2020 and both successes since returning from a mammoth absence early last year have come over hurdles; last two efforts in that sphere leave him with a bit to prove, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:50 Cartmel

Calevade

10st 11lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Ben Haslam

Gained all four hurdling wins over C&D (good-soft); well beaten here last month, after a layoff, and Miss Maverick is unlikely to allow him an uncontested lead today but, nevertheless, his course record can't be ignored.

20/1

9th

3

27th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

17:30 Cartmel

Calevade

11st 13lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Ben Haslam

Gained all four hurdling wins over C&D (good-soft), including the last two editions of this race; absent since poor Flat run in October but there's a good chance he'll be primed to make a bold bid from the front today.

10/1

11th

6

(9)

2nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:23 Catterick

Calevade

9st 3lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ben Haslam

C&D winner (good to soft); returns to this code after a successful spell over hurdles; was below par when seen here (1m6f, good to firm) in June but it would be no surprise to see him closely involved now on slower ground, back up in trip and from 2lb lower.

11/2

Form: 9-7063

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Had rather lost his way, but his latest third of eight here (2m, good) was much more like it (form working out well) and another 1lb drop since then leaves him 11lb below his last winning mark; high on list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(13)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Pons Aelius

9st 9lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Six-time winner at up to 2m in Britain but yet to hit any sort of form for current yard; career-low mark and tongue-tie tried so don't rule out.

12/1

11th

7

(16)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Pons Aelius

9st 11lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: H D McGuigan

Donegal yard likes to pick up horses with back-form, often from Britain, and try to rejuvenate them; six-time winner at up to 2m but hasn't been finishing out his races in Ireland and been off a while.

18/1

8th

9

(9)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Pons Aelius

9st 0lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Six-time winner for Charlie Johnston and best form over this trip; poor on first two runs for this yard at big prices; better than bare result when beaten over 5l at Gowran last May; yard's first runner of the year won on Tuesday; no surprise were he to go well after a break with leading claimer aboard.

20/1

OUR TIP

20/1

Form: 09-586 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Now 24lb lower than last summer and although there have been a couple of encouraging performances in that period, they haven't been built on; best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

Achnamara

11st 8lb

J: Ian Power

T: Philip Kirby

Didn't run badly in a low-grade Flat marathon last month but he ended the last jumps season with two disappointing runs (both 2m4f) and has a bit more to prove than some of these.

14/1

3rd

8

(1)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:32 Pontefract

Achnamara

9st 0lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Well beaten over hurdles on his last two starts but hasn't run badly on his last two Flat outings (1m4f/2m, AW) and his trainer has won two of the last six runnings of this race; not discounted.

14/1

9th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Achnamara

11st 11lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Philip Kirby

Scored twice over hurdles (at about 2m4f) in 2024-25 but has failed to fire this term and beat just two in 2m4f Sedgefield handicap hurdle ten days ago; others appeal more.

25/1

Form: 0/222-

Last run: 277 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Yet to win but showed some ability on the Flat last year and on the second of her three starts over hurdles; makes her Flat handicap debut on her second start since wind surgery, but not quite sure what to expect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(6)

25th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

15:17 Beverley

Weigh Anchor

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Donald McCain

dwelt start, in touch with leaders halfway

12/1

8th

7

(9)

8th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

16:30 Catterick

Weigh Anchor

9st 5lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Donald McCain

in touch with leaders

10/1

6th

6

15th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Fakenham

Weigh Anchor

10st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Thrice second on the Flat last year at up to 1m4f (soft, good) and again when last seen over hurdles (good), finding no extra close home; could well be the wind surgery helps her realise more of her undoubted potential, as well it needs to given a stiff opening mark.

2/1

Form: 74-156 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Mainly known for his hurdling exploits (4-11) though he did win on the Flat here (1m4f, heavy) in April; not beaten far at Chester (2m, good to soft) last time, but a 1lb drop since then not enough to tempt; unraced on ground faster than good under either code.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

9th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

12:07 Kelso

Clear White Light

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

in touch with leaders, not fluent 4th

16/1

4th

1

9th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 3

12:07 Kelso

Clear White Light

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

in touch with leaders, not fluent 4th

16/1

7th

5

(1)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 5

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Clear White Light

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Ewan Whillans

First four wins came over hurdles but he proved he could do it on the Flat when successful at Catterick (1m4f, heavy) in April; finished last of seven (behind three of these) on stable debut over C&D last month and needs to do much better.

33/1

20/1

Form: 5118-7 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Last five wins have come on the AW though he scored twice on turf as a 3yo; would have needed his Thirsk return five weeks ago and good or faster ground suits him perfectly; a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(11)

10th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

16:20 Catterick

Victoriano

9st 9lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Brian Ellison

No turf win since August 2019; won three times on the AW (2m) last year, but it's difficult to draw a great deal of confidence from either of his two efforts since returning to action; look elsewhere.

28/1

10th

8

(10)

8th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

16:30 Catterick

Victoriano

9st 2lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

raced wide early, pressed leaders, lost ground after 5f, disputed lead after 6f

20/1

12/1

Form: 429-74 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Losing run up to 13 despite having dropped 15lb below his last winning mark, but his fourth of eight here (2m, good) last month (Pons Aelius third) was a step back in the right direction; each-way claims if he can improve on it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

9th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

16:20 Catterick

Myboymax

9st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Has won twice here (including over C&D); three places behind Cosmic Soul when fifth of eight over C&D (good) last month; no improvement with blinkers reinstated (retained) at Nottingham 13 days ago; needs to show improvement.

12/1

3rd

5

(2)

26th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:07 Nottingham

Myboymax

8st 11lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Catterick regular who was fifth of eight runners there 16 days ago when behind Morandi Second; that race wasn't run to suit and his previous effort there was better; the return of blinkers is no bad thing.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £38.30
Straight Forecast £29.20
Tricast £167.16
Trifecta £239.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Pons Aelius

The Times:

Knights Affair

Daily Mail:

Lord Torranaga

Daily Mirror:

Weigh Anchor

Telegraph:

Gibside

The Star:

Clear White Light

The Guardian:

Knights Affair

RP RATINGS:

Pons Aelius

POSTDATA:

Pons Aelius

D Express:

Pons Aelius

Daily Record:

Pons Aelius

The Sun:

Lord Torranaga