The flat turf season began to gradually wind down as all roads lead to Doncaster in early November and racecourses around the country started to sign off for the year. It would be the turn of Catterick today as the hosted their final flat meeting of another busy summer. Particular highlights at the North Yorkshire venue would be provided by Vintage Clarets winning a second successive Catterick Dash win, as well as successes at this course for Englemere who went on to win at listed level for George Boughey and the smart handicapper Eye Of Dubai. 

The final meeting of the flat season would see a handful of small fields, but as the day progresses the quality improves. A pair of class four handicaps over the contrasting six furlongs and twelve furlongs were filled by classy types and elsewhere there would be a whole host of returning course winners.

Race One: The British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes - 2-Y-O only - Class Five - Five Furlongs - Runners: 4
The afternoon's action would kick off with a small field lining up in a restricted maiden race. The contest is limited to horses who have raced no more than three times and gave a chance for an unexposed type to get off the mark. The race is unlikely to unveil the latest superstar, but plenty of locally based handicappers have taken this race in the past decade. The likes of Brian The Snail, Leodis Dream and Manila Scouse have all gone to win multiple times after this race. Last year, the Peter Chapple-Hyam trained Rogue Enforcer backed up the win on his previous start to end the year on a high.

This year's line up would be a small one, but the three quarters of the line up had gone close to winning last time out The locally based yard of Grant Tuer would be represented by Farandaway. The gelding has gone close to winning both starts this year and gave a very smart colt a fright last time out. Roger Fell would saddle Hi Lady, who also showed plenty on debut when second at Hamilton a month ago and was open to natural improvement. There would be another runner for the Easterby family as Tim Easterby saddled Genius Mistake, a two time runner up who has shown plenty of natural speed in her races. The final runner would be Jack Channon's Sarabi, who represented the South against the North. She is related to plenty of race winners, but was never involved on debut recently.

Winner: HI LORD (#3) (Due Diligence x Lady Phill) - F. Marsh - R. Fell

The overnight withdrawal of Mick and David Easterby's Youvegotoshowmeluv reduced the the field down to four, but most of the quartet of horses had shown race winning potential previously. There would be a contentious start to proceedings as the favourite Farandaway reared as the stalls opened and he was soon left to play catch up on the others. It would leave Hi Lord out in front and he began to set a moderate pace under Finlay Marsh. Genius Mistake would stalk the leader in second, just ahead of the outsider of the field Sarabi while Farandaway brought up the rear.

The order remained largely the same for the majority of the contest as Hi Lord enjoyed a free lead. As the group moved towards the near side rail, Hi Lord kicked on in front and soon built up an advantage. Farandaway attempted to bridge the gap as he moved past the weakening Sarabi, but he had used up too much petrol close to the finish. It would leave Hi Lord to gallop on to a first win of his career, with Farandaway finishing second for the third time and the filly Genius Mistake rounding out the podium placings.

It would be a smooth success for the gelding Hi Lord, who kept away from trouble and was able to dictate the race. The son of Due Diligence is a half brother to Delegate The Lady and Thank The Lord, who both won multiple times in lower grade company. Hi Lord could potentially outshine his siblings as he showed plenty of promise on debut at Hamilton in September where he showed bright pace early on before being reeled in by the winner. This may not have been the strongest race in the world, but the style of the win suggest there could be more wins in store for Hi Lord.

Race Two: The Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap - Class Six - Five Furlongs - Runners: 6

There would be another small field on display, this time with a low grade handicap over the minimum trip. The race has been taken by many local stables in the past, including Bryan Smart's Zoom Star who won back to back renewals of the handicap. He could manage fourth last year as Tim Easterby's Wade's Magic took the prize back to Yorkshire. 

The weights would be headed by the Rebecca Menzies-trained Kyber Crystal, who had previously been hard to win with but has taken off recently since a wind operation. He has been successful twice recently north of the border at Musselburgh and Hamilton. Declan Carroll's Fortunate Star scored here back in April which was the second of his two career wins. His profile has an in and out look to it, but has been running well on slower ground recently. Katie Scott is one of the trainers to win this race in recent years and was represented by Too Much Too Young, who made a successful stable debut at Catterick in July when springing a surprise. He has yet to back up that win though. Turn And Burn only made his debut back in April, but has quickly developed into a race winner for the Kevin Frost stable by coping with the sharp course of Lingfield. He continued to show a liking for the all-weather with a fourth at Kempton last time. The Middleham-based stable of Liam Bailey would send across  Quanah, an eight year old whose best effort at Catterick came in April when third on heavy ground. He would be another to lack consistency. The final runner of the field would be the John Wainwright-trained Ninety Nine, who started the season brightly with a pair of placings, but has been disappointing since switching yards. 

Winner: NINETY NINE (#6) (Dandy Man x Red Balloons) - J. Hart - J. Wainwright

As the racing remained over the minimal trip, the best place to be was once again on the stand's side. From the moment the stalls opened, the filly Ninety Nine moved into a narrow overall lead as Too Much Too Young raced slighty further apart from the others. Joining the main course from the five furlong chute, the field began to meander across to the stand's side and the pace began to pick up. 

The pair of Quanah and Burn And Turn would be the first two beaten as they quickly weakened out of the picture and Ninety Nine continue to travel better than most. The grey Kyber Crystal had been held up through the early stages of the race and began to make headway entering the final furlong. The favourite Fortunate Star began to backtrack on the soft ground and Too Much Too Young could only plug on at the same pace. As the challengers whittled down one by one, it would be left for Ninety Nine to carry on at leisure to spring a surprise win as the outsider of the field. Kyber Crystal was unable to make an impression and finished ahead of Fortunate Star.

It would be a jolt of improvement for the three year old Ninety Nine who was winning for the first time since June 2023, her second career start. The filly has been around various stables during her career and switched to the John Wainwright yard earlier in the year. After a string of disappointing efforts this summer, the signs didn't appear to be promising for the filly until today. The application of cheekpieces for the first time sparked life into Ninety Nine and she clearly enjoyed the positive ride by Jason Hart. A surprise result, but a reminder to never lose hope with horses.

Race Three:  The Best Odds Guaranteed At Vickers.Bet Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 7

The first of two class four handicaps would take place over the staying trip of twelve furlongs. The conditions would require plenty of stamina from the runners, but there would still be a competitive line up. Last year, there would be a great finish as the dual purpose runner Goobinator nosed ahead at the finish to win for the Donald McCain yard.

The filly Ma Belle Artiste ran to a good level in Ireland with two wins in 2023, but moved to Britain with the Robert Bevis stable. After taking to hurdles this summer, she reverted to the flat last time out and was unable to improve. Another to change codes would be Giselles Defence for the Ian Williams yard. She won twice in quick succession in July, but was below form over hurdles recently. Charlie Johnston's four year old Dreams Adozen has been kept busy during his career, but finished second on his only run here last season. He has been a regular at Chester this year and held his form well. The Liam Bailey-trained Clansman won back to back races earlier in the year by wide margins, but has struggled against a higher rating recently including at Catterick last time out. Another lightly raced three year old in the field would be Harry Eustace's Lennox, who overcame an unfortunate mishap two starts ago by winning on his most recent start. The Karl Burke-trained Local Arms got off the mark at the second attempt last year and has been tried in some good quality races of late. This would be an easier assignment for the gelding. The final runner in the line up would be Ed Walker's three year old King's Scholar, who remains a maiden but has shown enough to win a race at some time. He would run well against older horses at York last time out. 

Winner: KING'S SCHOLAR (#7) (Awtaad x Scholary) - J. Leavy - E. Walker

The first of the feature races would be a decent one on paper with three year olds taking on their elders and it would be the Classic generation who came out on top.

The early pace would be set by Local Arms in the all grey silks of Clipper Logistics. The filly would bring the field past the stands for the first time with Ma Belle Artiste and Dreams Adozen in the passenger seats. Further back, the free going Lennox was doing slightly more than he should in the early stages and the sizeable Clansman and King's Scholar brought up the tail. The pace would be no more than ordinary as the group navigated the peaks and troughs of the course. Approaching the final two furlongs, Local Arms took the regular route towards the near side rail once again but the challengers piled up. The blinkered Dreams Adozen made gradual headway as Ma Belle Artiste loomed large on the far side. Joe Leavy had been hard at work on King's Scholar from a fair distance out, but the gelding kept finding for pressure and took up the lead in the final furlong. The lightly weighted three year old pulled clear close home to win by a widening four lengths to Ma Belle Artiste in second. Dreams Adozen returned home in third as Lennox could only manage fourth.

It would be a first career success for the three year old King's Scholar, who seemed to relish the extra distance. The son of Awtaad only made his racecourse in April this year, but has gradually improved with each run. Having placed twice over a mile earlier in the year, Ed Walker's gelding ran well in defeat at York a few weeks ago when seventh. Moving even further in trip to twelve furlongs, he showed plenty of courage to win for the first time. A relative to the Royal Ascot handicap winner Space Age and winning hurdler Elogio, it wouldn't be a surprise to see further progress unlocked over this trip. 

Race Four: The RacingTV.com Handicap - Class Five - Seven Furlongs - Runners:11

Next up would be a well contested handicap over the intermediate trip of seven furlongs. Twelve months ago saw the first running of the race which was taken by the veteran nine year old Mr Strutter.

The TV celebrity Showtime Mahomes would carry top weight for the Grant Tuer stable in this contest. Along with his fame, the five year old is a four time winner in the past but could only manage fifth on his sole outing here. Tim Easterby's Mister Sox has a good record at this venue with two wins, but was below his best last time when fifth. The David and Nicola Barron-trained Homer Stokes has become a real course specialist recently with three wins at the course in his last four starts. He returned here with confidence sky high. Catton Lady would line up here for Mick and David Easterby having run well at uniquely undulating tracks such as Beverley, Carlisle and Pontefract which offered hope on her first start at Catterick. The John and Sean Quinn runner Sir Garfield has done much better this season than last with just two finishes outside of the top two. The gelding won for the first time here in July before adding a second win at Ayr last time out. The Ursa Major Racing silks would be on display with Beltane for the Mark Walford yard. The five year old has a handful of good displays at this venue in the past. Langholm represented the locally based stable of Michael Dods and the gelding has gained plenty of experience over the years. Two of his seven wins have come at this venue. The three year old filly Treasure Storm started out with high profile connections last year, but has recently moved to the nearby Phil Kirby stable. She has shown that she has settled in with a pair of placed efforts recently. Another in form runner would be Seb Spencer's Desert Dream, who defied his age to win back to back races here in September. He would fill the placings once again last time out. The Declan Carroll-trained Rwenearlytheredad has returned to form recently having moved back up to this distance and went close to winning on his last two starts. The final runner would be Tristan Davidson's Dandy Lichious, who was last successful in Ireland at Dundalk for his previous trainer, but has struggled for form in this country.

Winner: RWENEARLYTHEREDAD (#10) (Havana Grey x King's Guest)

There would be drama ahead of the race as Dandy Lichious spooked on the way to the start and dumped rider Ella May Croot before making a swift return to the parade ring. Thankfully both were unhurt and were able to take their place in the race.

The race would get underway without further hitch and the early pace was set by Langholm for the Michael Dods stable. Beltane would take up his customary front running position under Dougie Costello and was joined by Mister Sox and Rwenearlytheredad as the field rounded the home bend. Approaching the final furlong, Langholm's time in the lead had soon come to an end as he backtracked through the field and it was left for Beltane to hold on to the lead. Mister Sox was also right there and the favourite Homer Stokes had thrown his hat into the ring as well. In the finish of the day, four horses would fight it out for the win as Rwenearlytheredad came with a late challenge over the top of his rivals and crossed the line a length to the good. Beltane settled for a brave second, ahead of Mister Sox and Homer Stokes, whose winning run came to a stop.

It would be a first win of the year for Declan Carroll's four year old, who was winning for the fourth time in his career. He began this season over shorter trips which led to low key performances and a drop in the ratings. Following a short summer break, the son of Havana Grey has returned in good form and this win wouldn't come as much of a surprise to many. Having finished third to Homer Stokes over course and distance in August, Rwenearlytheredad continued to finish closer with each start and was second and third in his last two starts. Rounding out the turf season in style, it would be a popular winner for connections.

Race Five: The Bet At Racing TV Handicap - Class Six - Two Miles - Runners 8

The action would return to a test of stamina as this low grade two mile handicap was in focus. The race has seen plenty of dual purpose trainers take home this prize, but none more high profile than Micky Hammond's Cornerstone Lad in 2019, a race he would take before causing a huge shock in the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

There wouldn't be any horses of that calibre this year, but the weights were headed by Bonne Vitesse, trained by Micky Hammond. The mare would be making her first start since the end of May where she won nicely at Carlisle. Brian Ellison's yard were making headlines on the world stage last week and were represented at this much modest level with Captain Potter. The four year old won over hurdles last year and doubled his tally over course and distance recently at a similar level. The Jessica Bedi-trained Somebodycomegether has been sent off a big prices on all four starts and posted her best effort on debut when fourth. She would attempt two miles for the first time here. Jennie Candlish has won this race in the past and would be represented by the three year old Malinka, who showed a heap of improvement to scoot clear on hurdling debut during the summer. He would struggle in a useful looking contest last time and reverted to the flat. The Grant Tuer-trained Catrake Force showed ability on debut last year, but struggled for form on the all-weather. His only start on turf saw her finish a close up third at Musselburgh recently. Bollin Neil has achieved the unique double of winning on the flat and over hurdles at Catterick in the past, but has suffered heavy defeats in three starts on the flat this year. The likable Tarbat Ness finished a close second in this race last year, but has continued to fill the silver medal spot this year. There would be very few who deserve a win more than John Berry's gelding. The field would be completed by Neil Mechie's Gold Ring, who has shown very little in both codes since his last win in April 2023. 

Winner: TARBAT NESS (#7) (Reliable Man x Ethics Girl) - G. Mangan - J. Berry

The longest race of the day was run at a sensible pace in the testing ground conditions. Grant Tuer's filly Catrake Force cut out the early running and was shadowed by Gold Ring and Bollin Neil passing the stands for the first time. Turning away from the crowd, Tarbat Ness, Malinka and Somebodycomegether brought up the rear of the group. Approaching the halfway point of the race, Gold Ring began to feel the pinch and dropped away from the main group to become detached and Catrake Force was also passed by her rivals. Bollin Neil would inherit the lead, but started to get nudged along by his rider David Allan and others quickly loomed large as big dangers. 

The grey Somebodycomegether made gradual progress entering the home straight and the eye was also drawn to another grey Tarbat Ness, who travelled strongly throughout. The action moved to the stands' side again and the limitations of each runner's stamina gauge would soon show up. Bollin Neil was the next to give in and Somebodycomegether could only plug on at the same pace. It would be leave Tarbat Ness with a golden opportunity for a win and the gelding drew clear from the rest, galloping clear by five lengths under Gina Mangan. It would be an improved run by Somebodycomegether in second as she finished clear in turn of Bollin Neil and Captain Potter back in third and fourth respectively.

It would be an overdue success for the five year old grey Tarbat Ness, who went one place better in this race than twelve months ago. It would be a successful journey from Newmarket for the popular and likable stable of John Berry, and a deserved win for the horse following five top three placings earlier this year. The son of Reliable Man had finished a hard fought second over an extended two miles at Bath on heavy ground three weeks ago, which makes this stamina sapping display even more impressive. 

Race Six: The Watch Racing TV Now Handicap - Class Four - Six Furlongs - Runners: 9
The action would move from stamina to speed as this six furlong contest would provide the second competitive class four handicap. 

The in form Hour By Hour would carry top weight for the Iain Jardine stable as he lined up on the back of three wins in his last four starts. The four year old has shown a liking for softer conditions by winning in comfortable style recently. Tim Easterby's Count d'Orsay is edging closer to a hundred race starts and has won here twice in the past. The nine year old's most recent victories came in a veterans' handicap over course and distance earlier this month. The much younger Jungle Land looked promising earlier in the year by winning his maiden easily, but since joining the George Boughey stable, he struggled for form. Last time out however, the three year old showed more encouragement when third over seven furlongs last time out. General Assembly lined up here for the Harry Eustace stable in Newmarket. Following a nice first career win earlier in the year, he has been frustrating recently. The Rebecca Menzies-trained Game Breaker lined up for the Northern based stable and landed back to back wins at Hamilton recently before getting outpaced at a crucial stage at Pontefract last time out. The formerly Irish-trained Rough Diamond took a couple of runs to settle in Britain, but Tristan Davidson's mare has run well in recent starts. After two placings at Newcastle, she wasn't beaten far in a veterans' handicap at the previous meeting here. The Karl Burke-trained three year old Princess Alex showed useful form at the start of the season and even part in stronger contests. The filly has finished on the podium in two of her last three starts. Another highly experienced runner in the race would be Broken Spear, trained by the duo of Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood. The eight year old was narrowly defeated by Count d'Orsay a few weeks ago and made a quick return to action following a low key run at Doncaster over the weekend. The final runner Knicks would be another three year old in the line up. Mick and David Easterby's filly started the season brightly by winning at the Chester May Festival before going through a mid-summer slump. She has improved once again recently with a pair of thirds. 

Winner: COUNT D'ORSAY (#2) (Dandy Man x Deira) - S. Kirrane - T. Easterby

The second of the two feature contests got underway with Newmarket raider General Assembly leading the field in the opening stages. The battle for early prominent position would be heated and it was contested between the keen going Jungle Land, Rough Diamond and Princess Alex. The favourite Hour By Hour was trapped widest of all rounding the bend which was far from ideal. Another to struggle early on would be the experienced Broken Spear, who was very slow away from the gates and was detached throughout.

As the group straightened out for the home stretch, the place to be once more was the near side rail. Jungle Land had pulled himself into the lead, but still held every chance for Grace McEntee while Princess Alex began to struggle. Favourite backers were in for another disappointing race as Hour By Hour's wide route proved costly and he too weakened out of the frame. The veteran Count d'Orsay had picked his way through the pack under Sean Kirrane and despite drifting to his right across rivals, he kept on strongly with the winning post in sight. The eight year old powered home to win comfortably for the Tim Easterby yard. Jungle Land did well to hold on to second despite his keenness, finishing just ahead of Game Breaker, who was another to run a big race in third.

It would be win number eleven of Count d'Orsay's career from ninety four starts. The veteran has been in top form this season, especially of late. Having won twice at Chester in July and September, another course he excels at, the son of Dandy Man landed a competitive handicap for veteran sprinters over course and distance a fortnight ago. The return to the venue clearly suited, just as the decent pace of the race. The former Catterick Dash Handicap winner is enjoying a golden spell at the moment which is a pleasure to see for the old boy. 

Race Seven: The Jumps Season Starts 22nd November Handicap - Class Six - Six Furlongs - Runners: 10

The grand finale of the flat season took place with this run of the mill sprint handicap which saw a deep field line up to provide a good send off for the year.

The weights would be headed by former course and distance winner White Umbrella, trained by Chris Kellett. The mare won here just over twelve months ago and has been in and out form recently, her best run coming at Ripon when third. Seb Spencer's Crocodile Power followed the hoofprints of stablemate Desert Dream into the winner's enclosure on two occasions this year and would be looking to make it a hat trick to boost his good record at the course. The TIm Easterby runner Happier has done well on both visits to Catterick with two placings. The four year old has run well in defeat recently and looked to still be in form. Agnes Grey finished third here last year before joining the John and Sean Quinn yard and won for the first time in her career at Carlisle. She showed a liking for the stiff course in similar conditions which provided hope for a good run here. The six year old So Grateful has a better strike rate on the all-weather for the David and Mick Easterby yard but finished in and around the frame in recent starts. Last time out, he would be unsuited by a heavy ground five furlongs. The locally based Phil Kirby stable made the short trip with Lady Bouquet, who found a jolt of improvement to win consecutive races in the summer, but has reverted to running poorly recently. A second runner for the Mick and David Easterby yard would be the three year old La Boo, who still remains a maiden but has finished in the placings here in the past. Another runner for the Easterby clan would be Canaria Queen, trained by Tim Easterby. The two time winner was last successful in April this year and despite some placings in recent start, she has yet to convince with her effectiveness at this course. The all-weather regular in the field would be the Phil McEntee-traned Porfin, who was ridden by the trainer's daughter Grace. The six year old is fast approaching his century of starts and has been inconsistent recently ahead of his first run at the course in over four years. The final runner in the line up would be the John Riches-trained Blue Jay Way, ridden by Shay Farmer. The four year old is another to remain a maiden, but at least showed a glimmer of promise here last time out when fourth. 

Winner: CROCODILE POWER (#2) (Slade Power x Ramamara) - D. Swift - S. Spencer

The field was reduced by two in the finale as Brian Ellison's Travel Candy raced the day before and was joined on the missing list by Scott Dixon's Sluzewiec.

The final competitive action on the flat course at Catterick would get underway with the sun descending in the distance. The early pace would be made by the outsider Lady Bouquet as a small bit of jostling for position took place. The mare White Umbrella was briefly squeezed for a stride or two, but quickly settled into a rhythm in the midfield. Approaching the home bend, the Tim Easterby duo of Canaria Queen and Happier were close to pace with Crocodile Power also in the firing line. 

Approaching the final stages, the six year old Crocodile Power began to move up and into the outright lead as the likes of Lady Bouquet and Porfin cried enough. The main challengers would come from further back as White Umbrella and Blue Jay Way crept closer to make it four in a line for the prize. In a rousing finish, Crocodile Power kept finding extra and gained a length's advantage over his nearest rivals, a lead he wouldn't relinquish. He would land another win at Catterick, finishing ahead of White Umbrella who just nosed out Blue Jay Way in a tight photo finish for second. Canaria Queen was also on the scene in fourth.

It would be a remarkable third win at the venue this year for Crocodile Power, who has developed an affinity with Catterick. Seb Spencer's six year old had only previously won on the all-weather before this year, but following a summer break this season, he has found plenty of improvement. A first win here would come in late August where he got up close home under a good ride. He backed up that win with another at the course two weeks later, fending off a subsequent winner. On his latest start, Crocodile Power reverted to the all-weather at Chelmsford and could only manage fourth. The only disappointing thing for the horse now is the lack of Catterick races until April next year, when the flat returns for the 2025 season.