Today / 14.42 Cartmel

14.42

Good To Firm

Molson Coors Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £3459.05
  • 2m 6f 31y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Molson Coors Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.00
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 334-90

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner; made quite promising start to hurdling career last autumn but looked out of sorts in two handicaps this spring (3m2f/2m7f) and it takes a leap of faith to support him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Fairlawn Skipper

12st 0lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Bumper winner; made quite promising start to hurdling career last autumn but looked out of sorts in two handicaps this spring (3m2f/2m7f) and it takes a leap of faith to support him here.

12/1

11th

10

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Fairlawn Skipper

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Bumper winner last year; yet to add to that in five hurdle starts but has shown ability, notably when third at Newcastle (2m7f, good) in October; below-par effort in November and well held on last month's reappearance at Perth (3m2f, good to soft); may come on from that but others appeal more.

16/1

9th

2

13th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Fairlawn Skipper

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Won a Stratford bumper in July 2025 (2m, good to firm); yet to win over hurdles but several good runs, notably when third in a 2m7f handicap at Newcastle in October; not so good last time but off since; a possible.

10/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 676-23 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Beaten over 19l when third over C&D last month and now 0-8 over hurdles but ran big race when second over C&D (good) on stable debut in May and has strong claims if judged on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Masterminding

11st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Beaten over 19l when third over C&D last month and now 0-8 over hurdles but ran big race when second over C&D (good) on stable debut in May and has strong claims if judged on that performance.

4/1

3rd

8

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:27 Cartmel

Masterminding

11st 3lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

0-15 under rules but showed improved form on his stable debut when runner-up over C&D (good) last month, following five months off; should come on from that outing and run well.

4/1

2nd

8

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

Masterminding

10st 12lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

0-6 over hurdles when trained by Maurice Barnes and absent since heavy defeat in 2m4f Newcastle maiden in December; has better chance at the weights on this stable/handicap debut but fitness/stamina taken on trust.

13/2

10/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 134P-4 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Five-time hurdle winner, most recently off today's mark at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft) in November; has become inconsistent, though, and dropped out quite tamely after making the running at Fontwell in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Lelantos

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Five-time hurdle winner, most recently off today's mark at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft) in November; has become inconsistent, though, and dropped out quite tamely after making the running at Fontwell in May.

10/1

4th

2

24th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

16:20 Fontwell

Lelantos

11st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Nicky Henderson

Now only 1lb higher than when winning at Huntingdon (3m1f, good to soft; also suited by good) in November but has become inconsistent and was pulled up on latest outing seven weeks ago; not easy to predict.

8/1

6

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Lelantos

11st 1lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

5-27 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Huntingdon (extended 3m1f, good to soft; 2lb higher today) in November; has a shout on that showing but there have been backward steps in his two starts since.

5/1

Form: 3P4-35

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Returned from seven-month break with creditable third over C&D (good) in May and has obvious each-way claims if judged on that effort but Market Rasen last month was a backward step and he's now 0-14 over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Zuul

10st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Rebecca Menzies

Returned from seven-month break with creditable third over C&D (good) in May and has obvious each-way claims if judged on that effort but Market Rasen last month was a backward step and he's now 0-14 over hurdles.

8/1

5th

7

12th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

20:36 Market Rasen

Zuul

10st 2lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Rebecca Menzies

20-race maiden; bled from the nose and soundly beaten over fences at Sedgefield (2m5f) last October; returned with a creditable third to Evenwood Sonofagun over hurdles at Cartmel (2m6f; 20-1) 18 days ago; competes from 2lb out of the handicap.

10/1

3rd

11

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

Zuul

10st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Rebecca Menzies

19-race maiden who has been absent since some underwhelming chase runs in the autumn (bled from nose on latest outing); not the most obvious answer on this return to hurdling.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 956P7-

Last run: 120 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Regressive 7yo who had a disappointing campaign last season; returns from four-month break on a dangerous mark but was soundly beaten on both previous starts here and has quite a bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Fourofakind

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Regressive 7yo who had a disappointing campaign last season; returns from four-month break on a dangerous mark but was soundly beaten on both previous starts here and has quite a bit to prove.

16/1

7th

8

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:15 Carlisle

Fourofakind

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Defied higher marks three times in 2024 but his 2025 form took a turn for the worse; chance depends on whether this first start of 2026 results in a turnaround.

20/1

Form: 843-PP

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Seemed to have been aided by a wind op when placed at Ffos Las (3m, good to soft) in April, his second handicap, but was pulled up on next two outings (latter was chase debut) and has since left Ben Pauling; has tongue-tie refitted for stable debut; cheekpieces removed after one use.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Less Destiny Star

11st 6lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Ewan Whillans

Seemed to have been aided by a wind op when placed at Ffos Las (3m, good to soft) in April, his second handicap, but was pulled up on next two outings (latter was chase debut) and has since left Ben Pauling; has tongue-tie refitted for stable debut; cheekpieces removed after one use.

12/1

1

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:08 Worcester

Less Destiny Star

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Bumper winner; 0-6 over hurdles and needs to bounce back from a poor run but his third of 14 at Ffos Las (3m, good to soft) in April was a good effort; drops back in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces on chasing debut; could have a say if back on song.

12/1

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:48 Ffos Las

Less Destiny Star

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Good-ground bumper scorer; had wind surgery prior to a resurgent effort, finishing 5l third and one place behind Star Turn, over C&D (good to soft) last month in only his second handicap attempt; warrants respect off same mark, with a step forward possible.

5/1

Form: 7P-311 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
In-form 7yo who comes here after two narrow wins at Market Rasen (both 3m+, good); latest 4lb rise ought to be manageable and this drop back in trip won't be a problem; big player if suited by this different track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Matoury

11st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

In-form 7yo who comes here after two narrow wins at Market Rasen (both 3m+, good); latest 4lb rise ought to be manageable and this drop back in trip won't be a problem; big player if suited by this different track.

4/1

1st

9

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:25 Market Rasen

Matoury

10st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Both wins here, the latest 16 days ago when holding on grimly off a 6lb lower mark; can be inconsistent.

7/1

1st

8

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

14:05 Market Rasen

Matoury

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Occasionally inclined to put his head in the air, but recorded a 2m5f win here off 1lb lower this time a year ago (good) and last month's comeback third was among his better runs since; does stay this far.

10/1

Form: P6-453

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
2-17 over hurdles; not yet proven over quite this far but posted good effort when third at Perth (2m4f, good) this month and didn't run badly over 2m1f on only previous visit to Cartmel; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Top Flight Century

11st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

2-17 over hurdles; not yet proven over quite this far but posted good effort when third at Perth (2m4f, good) this month and didn't run badly over 2m1f on only previous visit to Cartmel; could have a say.

6/1

3rd

5

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

15:50 Perth

Top Flight Century

11st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

C&D winner off 6lb lower at this meeting last season when with Adam Nicol (good); has since won at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) but has a bit to find with Betteryouthanme on recent Hexham form.

16/1

5th

6

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

14:13 Hexham

Top Flight Century

11st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: David Thompson

Ex-Adam Nicol; winner at Sedgefield on stable debut in December (2m4f, good to soft) but below par since, including on the Flat (AW) last time.

33/1

Form: 0P2-6P BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
0-47 under all codes, having spent the bulk of his career in Ireland; flopped badly when favourite for recent stable debut at Stratford (2m2f, good to firm) but tries a new trip and sports first-time blinkers here; no surprise if Dan Skelton finds the key to him soon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:42 Cartmel

Katzoff

10st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

0-47 under all codes, having spent the bulk of his career in Ireland; flopped badly when favourite for recent stable debut at Stratford (2m2f, good to firm) but tries a new trip and sports first-time blinkers here; no surprise if Dan Skelton finds the key to him soon.

7/2

6

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

19:48 Stratford

Katzoff

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

46-race maiden under all codes, including 19 starts over hurdles; runner-up at Clonmel (2m1f, yielding) in April but failed to build on that next time; makes stable debut for a leading yard and, though he has plenty to prove, it'll be interesting to see what they can do with him.

9/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.80
Straight Forecast £33.08
Tricast £335.33
Trifecta £257.10

Selections

The Times:

Matoury

SPOTLIGHT:

Masterminding

D Express:

Top Flight Century

RP RATINGS:

Fairlawn Skipper

Daily Mirror:

Katzoff

Telegraph:

Matoury

Daily Mail:

Matoury

Daily Record:

Matoury

POSTDATA:

Masterminding

The Guardian:

Masterminding

The Star:

Masterminding