15:00 Catterick

Wednesday 24 August 2022

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Dave Watson Memorial Handicap

(11)

Rain Cap^v⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Sean Kirrane⁽³⁾| T: J Riches| OR: 56| CD

5-y-o who arrives at the top of his game, career best when making it 3 wins from last 4 starts over C&D 9 days ago, collaring one late who set a sound pace. Not ruled out under a penalty in this groove.

Form: 031711

(4)

Wade's Magic^p²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 59| C| D

Course winner. Creditable 1¼ lengths third of 6 to Rain Cap in handicap at this C&D (good to soft, 16/5) 22 days ago. Better off at the weights with that rival now and he's one to consider.

Form: 877633

(12)

Portelet Bay^t,v⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Owen Lewis⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 58| BF| D

Fifteen runs since last win in 2021. 11/4, tenth of 12 in handicap at Wolverhampton (6.1f) in July, fading final 100 yds. Been given a short break since and not out of things from this sort of mark if bouncing back.

Form: 634240

(2)

Hot Scoop^t,v⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: S England| OR: 53| C| D

Not seen to best effect in handicaps at Carlisle/Ripon earlier this month but returned to form partnered by good value claimer to end lengthy losing run over 5f here 9 days ago, leading well inside final 1f. Claims for all he's not an obvious follow-up candidate.

Form: 320681

(8)

Ginato^b²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 57| CD

C&D winner. 7 lengths last of 6 to Rain Cap in handicap at this C&D (good to soft, 13/2) 22 days ago. Refitting of blinkers needs to put an extra edge on him here.

Form: 060466

(1)

Circoloco^b³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 59

Blinkered for 1st time, respectable fourth of 12 in handicap at Redcar (7f, good to firm, 20/1) 38 days ago, no extra late on over the longest trip he's faced. Return to 6f rates a plus on the back of that now tackling all-age company.

Form: 34-0564

(5)

Point Of Woods¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Joanna Mason| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 56| D

Not the most reliable but confirmed promise of his Redcar reappearance second when coming home well to score at Thirsk (6f) in May. Mixed bag has followed, creditable third of 11 in handicap at Ripon (5f, good to firm) 16 days ago, nearest finish. Strong pace will suit.

Form: 210303

(7)

Freedom Flyer^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: T Eaves| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 55| BF| D

One win from 22 Flat runs. Sixth of 7 in handicap (3/1) at Wolverhampton (6.1f) 11 days ago, hanging left 1f out and fading. Others make more appeal for win purposes.

Form: 040376

(9)

Stronsay⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: D Nolan| T: L Bailey| OR: 55| CD

C&D winner who ran early on this year but well below best when last seen during the spring, twelfth of 14 in handicap at Redcar (6f, good to soft, 15/2) 86 days ago. Break may have perked him up.

Form: 724480

(3)

Ardat⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: A Keatley| OR: 57

Lightly-raced maiden. 50/1, eleventh of 12 in handicap at Newcastle (7.1f) in June, close up but folding 2f out. Needs to find some improvement returning from a short absence.

Form: 5-300

(10)

Sfumato^p⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Russell⁽³⁾| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 54| CD

3-time C&D winner. Bit below form 6¼ lengths fourth of 10 to Rain Cap in handicap (9/1) at this C&D (good to firm) 9 days ago. Cheekpieces back on and operating below last winning mark if he can build on that run here.

Form: 3-03044

(6)

Billian²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: K Stott| T: P A Kirby| OR: 53

Losing run is mounting up but did catch the eye to a degree when making late gains into fourth over C&D on his penultimate start. Underfoot conditions a plausible excuse at Carlisle since and he's not out of things.

Form: 389547

Forecasts

Rain Cap (10/3), Wade's Magic (9/2), Hot Scoop (6/1), Portelet Bay (7/1), Point Of Woods (8/1), Circoloco (10/1), Ginato (12/1), Sfumato (12/1), Freedom Flyer (14/1), Stronsay (14/1), Billian (16/1), Ardat (50/1)

A wide-open contest with the narrow vote in favour of WADE'S MAGIC. Tim Easterby's 5-y-o has highlighted he's back in good heart from this mark of late and could be ready to strike from a handy draw. Rain Cap, in his bid to make it 4 wins from his last 5 starts, Billian, and Circoloco head up the dangers.