November 02 / 14.02 Carlisle

14.02

Good To Soft

Stephex Trucks UK Castletown Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 2m 3f 218y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
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Stephex Trucks UK Castletown Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 28526/ D

Last run: 597 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Last seen finishing a fairly close sixth in the County Hurdle of 2024; off the same mark here but he's inconsistent at the best of times and now returns from a long absence; watching brief seems the sensible play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

14

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Faivoir

11st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Has lots of form in major handicaps, generally at about 2m, but losing spell goes back three years and he looks unlikely to land this hot contest at the age of 11; remote third at Newbury most recently.

40/1

3rd

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Faivoir

11st 8lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Missed last term; useful on his day (County winner) but is into the veteran stage and not particularly solid on this season's form, for all that he was placed in the Greatwood; beaten twice in this contest (pulled up in 2023, fifth in 2024).

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: /113P- C

Last run: 235 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Better than ever last season over fences before pulling up in the Grand Annual in March; a 10yo now and it's been well over two years since he was last seen over hurdles; rated 10lb lower in this discipline, mind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Nells Son

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; no real promise back hurdling six weeks ago but had wind surgery since and his stable is enjoying a cracking spring.

14/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Nells Son

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; not the force of old but is 5lb lower over hurdles compared to his chase mark; vulnerable to anything progressive.

33/1

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Nells Son

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

A smart winning chaser at his peak but not at his best this term, only fifth of six in 2m Windsor handicap chase 27 days ago; his mark is falling but this veteran still looks vulnerable conceding weight all round here.

12/1

Form: 2423P- D

Last run: 234 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Let down by his jumping and finally pulled up when only 9-1 for a 2m4f handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival on final appearance (first-time cheekpieces now discarded); confined to fences last season but did beat a classy rival for Grade 2 hurdle win (2m2f) in March 2024; this mark is 6lb lower than his chase one; has to enter the equation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Personal Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won three-runner novice chase by 17l at Newbury (2m, soft; first-time blinkers) in February but that form is tricky to evaluate, and he was pulled up in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March; still needs to prove he can handle his current handicap mark and that he's fully effective on the forecast good ground.

4/1

15

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Personal Ambition

10st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

He's had jumping issues and should have won a Grade 2 novice chase at Ascot in December 2024 (2m3f, good to soft; bad mistake at final fence); beat just two rivals when getting off the mark in this sphere at Newbury (2m, soft) recently but that was still a very encouraging effort in first-time blinkers (retained); could make a bold bid if minimising the errors.

14/1

1st

3

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

14:15 Newbury

Personal Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Three-time hurdle winner; 0-6 over fences but highly tried on occasions and unlucky not to win a Grade 2 at Ascot last season; disappointed in that same race two months ago but new headgear could help him turn things around.

100/30

Form: 13115-

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Followed his maiden win with Grade 2 honours at Haydock, with both races at about 2m on soft; wasn't at all disgraced when having to concede weight to some talented novices in a Listed race at Perth in April (3m; good to soft); by no means exposed just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Ayr

Dedicated Hero

10st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Following wind surgery he returned to form to win in a small field at Kelso (2m5f, good) recently, and he's fine on slow ground and at this trip; however, from out of the handicap he's 10lb higher today and his profile suggests he'll be vulnerable back up in grade.

11/1

1st

1

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:15 Kelso

Dedicated Hero

12st 1lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Pulled up in the Morebattle Hurdle here in February but he's had wind surgery since and this is a significant drop in grade; he's dropped down the weights and could bounce back with a big run for his in-form yard.

11/4

12

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Dedicated Hero

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Won C&D maiden hurdle and substandard Haydock Grade 2 in winter 2024-25; mixed form since but he was a good second on his chase debut at Ayr last month; first-fence unseat next time (hampered); he's dropped down the weights over hurdles and is not ruled out each-way in first-time cheekpieces.

10/1

Form: 11/09- C

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Progressive two seasons ago with back-to-back handicap wins at Cheltenham (2m4f) and Lingfield (2m7f; again on soft); disappointed with and without cheekpieces when confined to just the two runs last season, at Cheltenham in March and Ayr in April (only 100-30 latterly); would be a danger if she retains all her ability; market helpful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Nurse Susan

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Useful mare whose record of 6-12 over hurdles includes two handicap wins over C&D and Listed honours at Sandown; heavy ground possibly contributed to a form-dip last time; faded into midfield in this race last year but was ridden more prominently than usual; on a stiffer mark this time.

14/1

4th

5

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Nurse Susan

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced and thriving, better than ever at the age of nine; took hurdles record to 6-11 when staying on strongly to win Listed event at Sandown (2m4f, good; handles soft) early last month; has a 4lb penalty for that but she's very well entered up at the Cheltenham festival next month and commands plenty of respect here.

3/1

Form: 470F-7 D

Last run: 178 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle in these colours last season for Willie Mullins before finishing fourth (beaten 16l) in a Grade 1; the wheels came off afterwards, including on chase debut final start; the ability is there to deal with this mark if a change of scenery has helped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:10 Perth

Karafon

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: S R B Crawford

Runner-up when back over fences at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in January and this 6yo is of interest on that form; however, three lesser performances have followed and he needs to raise his game if he's to win this.

12/1

6th

5

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 100y

17:00 Downpatrick

Karafon

11st 12lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: S R B Crawford

Best of his form chase runs when second at Ayr in January, two moderate runs since then; possibly flattered by an official rating of 120.

6/1

5th

6

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Carlisle

Karafon

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

Underwhelming at Down Royal last time when cheekpieces were applied (now left off); however, prior to that he ran well in second at Ayr (2m4f, soft) on his second chase start and has a part to play if rediscovering that form.

6/1

Form: 7524-2

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Grade 2 bumper winner and won a Hexham handicap hurdle off this mark on last season's reappearance; found wanting afterwards but would have won on his chase debut three weeks ago had he jumped better and the saddle not slipped; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

21st May 2026

Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 3

14:30 Haydock

Florida Dreams

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Sandy Thomson

Grade 2 bumper winner at Aintree in April 2023; well beaten over hurdles on last two starts (stable debut latest) but he's shown some useful form in that code and is an interesting contender on this Flat debut.

12/1

8th

8

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Florida Dreams

11st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

Ex-Nicky Richards; smart bumper performer; has won two of his 17 races over hurdles, but disappointing on last two starts; makes debut for Sandy Thomson.

12/1

6th

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

15:30 Kelso

Florida Dreams

11st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Nicky Richards

Has won only one of his 13 handicaps but twice went very close at the start of the season and 3m possibly stretched his stamina at Musselburgh last time; back to a more suitable trip here and unlikely to be far away.

3/1

Form: 44211- D

Last run: 192 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Still raw last season according to his trainer so encouraging that he could follow up his maiden win with a comfortable handicap debut at Perth (2m4f, good to soft); raised 9lb for that Class 4 success and this is appreciably stronger, but everything would suggest that he's going to get better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Kapal Layar

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won his final two starts last season (2m3f/2m4f, soft/good to soft) and there's every chance this 7yo will get back on track at some stage; however, he's been disappointing on his three outings this term and it's hard to be confident regarding his claims today.

10/1

5

7th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

13:35 Newbury

Kapal Layar

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Ended last term with maiden (on soft) and handicap wins, latterly at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) in April; disappointing on both starts this term but was struck into last time and has also since had wind surgery; additionally, he's now upped in trip and has tongue-tie and cheekpieces for the first time, so there could be explanations aplenty were he to stage a revival.

9/1

11th

8

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 218y

Class 2

14:02 Carlisle

Kapal Layar

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Still raw last season according to his trainer so encouraging that he could follow up his maiden win with a comfortable handicap debut at Perth (2m4f, good to soft); raised 9lb for that Class 4 success and this is appreciably stronger, but everything would suggest that he's going to get better.

11/4

Form: 21421- D

Last run: 225 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Useful bumper performer who went 2-4 over hurdles last season, the latter win gained in Grade 2 handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good) in March; has a 6lb higher mark here but should have further improvement to come this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:55 Chepstow

Siog Geal

12st 1lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Second in a Listed bumper last season and won the mares' final at Newbury (2m4f handicap, good) in March; that was off 10lb lower but she's proving herself off this mark and only just missed out on the places at Leopardstown last time (2m2f, heavy); should have every chance.

2/1

5th

4

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 2f 0y

12:40 Leopardstown

Siog Geal

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Second in a Listed bumper last season and won the mares' final at Newbury (2m4f handicap, good) in March on her fourth start over hurdles; useful standard of form overall; second when favourite at Cheltenham last time; interesting but may find the locals too good.

6/1

Form: /5122-

Last run: 287 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Newbury novice winner who maintained his momentum when runner-up on handicap debut at Windsor in January (2m4f, soft); should progress further this season and there's upside to his current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

15

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Hartington

10st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Acts on any ground; ran as if something was amiss on penultimate start; consistent otherwise and ran creditably at Sandown (2m7f) latest; each-way possibilities in first-time tongue-tie.

10/1

3rd

6

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Hartington

11st 1lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Joe Tizzard

Ran creditably sole start here; won at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) on reappearance in just his second handicap and stuck to his task extremely well when going close in a major handicap at Haydock (3m, good to soft) later in November; something seemed amiss at Windsor (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day but the Haydock performance ensures that he needs a second look.

4/1

1st

10

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 218y

Class 2

14:02 Carlisle

Hartington

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Newbury novice winner who maintained his momentum when runner-up on handicap debut at Windsor in January (2m4f, soft); should progress further this season and there's upside to his current mark.

8/1

Form: /7430-

Last run: 219 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler in France where he was second at Listed level; didn't get a lot going last season for this yard (2m1f-2m5f) and returns in an even better race here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

6th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:55 Kelso

Jericoacoara

11st 8lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Yet to add to his French hurdle win (2m1f, very soft) in 2023 but he's been placed in last three runs including when second behind Kilmore Rock over C&D (good) last month; should go well again and any rain would be a bonus.

4/1

2nd

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Jericoacoara

11st 12lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Yet to add to his French hurdle win in 2023 but was placed on both starts this year, more recently when close second in valuable series final here (2m5f, good to soft) last month; must be considered.

5/1

2nd

9

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

Jericoacoara

10st 13lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

His French win came in 2023 and he's 0-6 in Britain, but he's dropped down the weights and ran well when third to Eloi Du Puy at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month; has also shown promise on good to soft; might not be far away.

10/1

Betting Forcast

20/1 Faivoir, 14/1 Nells Son, 5/1 Personal Ambition, 8/1 Dedicated Hero, 5/1 Nurse Susan, 10/1 Karafon, 5/1 Florida Dreams, 5/1 Kapal Layar, 6/1 Siog Geal, 8/1 Hartington, 33/1 Jericoacoara