Today / 16.47 Cartmel

16.47

Good To Firm

Old Park Wood Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3828.72
  • 2m 5f 34y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Old Park Wood Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

Form: 365-15 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Led close home to cause 25-1 surprise over C&D (good) in May, form that has been very well advertised by the placed horses (one was Kingofthegame) since; not in same form over hurdles last month but still strongly considered; wears first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:47 Cartmel

Imperial Rule

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Led close home to cause 25-1 surprise over C&D (good) in May, form that has been very well advertised by the placed horses (one was Kingofthegame) since; not in same form over hurdles last month but still strongly considered; wears first-time cheekpieces.

5/1

5th

5

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:27 Cartmel

Imperial Rule

11st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

This track (2m5f, good) last month saw him land his fourth race over fences, following a short break; resumes over hurdles where he is 10lb lower but yet to make the frame in this sphere; claims if he can transfer his chase form.

8/1

1st

4

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Imperial Rule

11st 9lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Triple scorer over just shy of this trip during 2024 (good and good to soft), and now back below his last winning mark; needs forgiving a pair of weakening efforts around Sedgefield most recently, however.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 474-92

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Bettered low-key stable debut (over hurdles) when second to very progressive rival over C&D (good) last month and remains well handicapped on some of his form for Jamie Snowden; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:47 Cartmel

Jack Sprat

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Bettered low-key stable debut (over hurdles) when second to very progressive rival over C&D (good) last month and remains well handicapped on some of his form for Jamie Snowden; likely contender.

11/4

2nd

6

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 4

15:18 Cartmel

Jack Sprat

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Capable on his day for Jamie Snowden, winning three times; didn't sign off for that yard in bad form but he made a quiet debut for this yard here when 3m1f was no excuse.

10/1

Form: 323-23 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Placed three consecutive times in March-May (2m4f-2m5f, good/good to soft) and has claims if judged on that form but didn't fire when well-held third of four on latest outing and also disappointed on only previous visit to Cartmel; usually ridden patiently; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:47 Cartmel

El Muchacho

11st 10lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Placed three consecutive times in March-May (2m4f-2m5f, good/good to soft) and has claims if judged on that form but didn't fire when well-held third of four on latest outing and also disappointed on only previous visit to Cartmel; usually ridden patiently; others appeal more.

10/1

3rd

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

18:30 Market Rasen

El Muchacho

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Won twice on good ground (2m5f/2m3f) for this new stable last season and has been placed on last three appearances, most recently when second over C&D (good) three weeks ago; 1lb lower today and seems very likely to be in the thick of things again.

7/4

2nd

3

8th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

El Muchacho

11st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Holding form well since January's Catterick success (2m3f, good), actually achieving more on RPRs when a close third at Newcastle latest; still well treated on his 2023-24 peak form, and no ground concerns.

9/2

Form: 2635-P

Last run: 2 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Placed in two 2m7f Kelso chases in the autumn (good/good to soft) but ran poorly over 3m1f here on Saturday, after a five-month break, and will need to rebound quickly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:47 Cartmel

Wearelongterm

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Dianne Sayer

Placed in two 2m7f Kelso chases in the autumn (good/good to soft) but ran poorly over 3m1f here on Saturday, after a five-month break, and will need to rebound quickly.

16/1

4

18th Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:21 Cartmel

Wearelongterm

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Dianne Sayer

Placed in two 2m7f Kelso chases in the autumn (good/good to soft) but absent since below-par hurdle run in February and returns with rules strike-rate standing at 0-21.

10/1

5th

5

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:50 Musselburgh

Wearelongterm

11st 3lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Dianne Sayer

0-20 under rules but stayed on from the rear to take third over C&D (good to soft) when back over hurdles last month and has now been placed on three of his last four appearances; no surprise if he's on the premises.

11/2

Form: P-67P2 CD

Last run: 2 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Gained all three chase wins at this track (2m5f-3m1f); bounced back from two lacklustre efforts when staying on to go close here (3m1f, good; usual tongue-tie/blinkers left off) on Saturday and remains well handicapped but it's hard to predict whether he'll be in the right mood again; wears cheekpieces for first time since 2024.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:47 Cartmel

Judicial Review

10st 7lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Gained all three chase wins at this track (2m5f-3m1f); bounced back from two lacklustre efforts when staying on to go close here (3m1f, good; usual tongue-tie/blinkers left off) on Saturday and remains well handicapped but it's hard to predict whether he'll be in the right mood again; wears cheekpieces for first time since 2024.

6/1

2nd

9

18th Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:21 Cartmel

Judicial Review

10st 7lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Gained all three chase wins at this track (2m5f-3m1f) and has slipped to a dangerous mark but looked out of sorts on both starts here last month (2m5f/3m1f) and now has questions to answer.

10/1

4

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:55 Cartmel

Judicial Review

10st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Three of his four wins have been here, including in this race off 4lb lower last season; fair run when sixth here in May; disappointing when tailed off here on Friday (2m5f, good) but he twice bounced back last summer after two-day breaks.

10/1

Form: 43-512 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
1-16 over hurdles, having gained a hard-fought course win (2m6f, good) in May; evidently well suited by this track but will need to find hidden reserves to overcome a 4lb higher mark on this chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:47 Cartmel

Path Of Stars

10st 6lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

1-16 over hurdles, having gained a hard-fought course win (2m6f, good) in May; evidently well suited by this track but will need to find hidden reserves to overcome a 4lb higher mark on this chasing debut.

12/1

2nd

12

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:27 Cartmel

Path Of Stars

10st 9lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Off the mark at the 15th attempt over hurdles, over C&D (good) last month; 4lb higher but should give a good account in her follow-up bid.

6/1

1st

12

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Path Of Stars

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Gave good account when third at Plumpton (2m4f, good) last month but wasn't in quite the same form at Fakenham three weeks ago and is now 0-14 over hurdles; 4lb out of the weights; not the percentage call.

10/1

Form: 5U-UP7

Last run: 2 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on old form but failed to complete three consecutive races in April-June and was well beaten here (2m1f) on Saturday; difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:47 Cartmel

Blazing Court

10st 6lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

Well handicapped on old form but failed to complete three consecutive races in April-June and was well beaten here (2m1f) on Saturday; difficult to enthuse over.

33/1

7th

6

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

16:57 Cartmel

Blazing Court

10st 11lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

Won off 16lb higher at Worcester (2m4f, good) in August 2024 but he's lost his way and has failed to complete in his last three runs; has lots to prove and he needs a major revival on this big drop back in trip.

33/1

6

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:55 Cartmel

Blazing Court

10st 11lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

Won a Worcester handicap chase for Martin Keighley in August 2024 (2m4f, good) but has a bit to prove having been out of form on most starts for this yard (unseated rider last twice).

33/1

Form: P31-44

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
One of two to pull clear of the others when opening account at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) in March, and both subsequent fourths (3m/3m1f; latter was here) were perfectly respectable; may benefit from this drop back in trip; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:47 Cartmel

Aill Dubh

10st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Micky Hammond

One of two to pull clear of the others when opening account at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) in March, and both subsequent fourths (3m/3m1f; latter was here) were perfectly respectable; may benefit from this drop back in trip; no surprise if he features.

7/1

4th

9

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:55 Cartmel

Aill Dubh

10st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Micky Hammond

Newcastle winner in March (2m7f, good to soft) who was a fair fourth of eight at Perth last time (3m, good to soft); a possible.

6/1

4th

7

13th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:43 Perth

Aill Dubh

10st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Micky Hammond

Ex Irish; took a while to warm to the task for this trainer but he's getting the hang of things now and there was plenty to like about the manner in which he knuckled down to see off Cahier's Den at Newcastle (3m, good to soft) six weeks ago; still lowly weighted despite a token rise; player.

4/1

Form: 6FP-86

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on both starts this year (3m1f/2m3f) and makes no appeal from 10lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:47 Cartmel

Fast Deal

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Michael Chapman

Well beaten on both starts this year (3m1f/2m3f) and makes no appeal from 10lb out of the handicap.

100/1

6th

6

12th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

18:51 Market Rasen

Fast Deal

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Michael Chapman

1-66, that a 150-1 shock at Stratford (3m4f) in April 2024; nearly as many letters as numbers in his form figures since January 2025, tailed off (suffered from heat stress) on return to action at Cartmel three weeks ago; competes from 9lb out of the handicap.

50/1

8th

11

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:30 Cartmel

Fast Deal

10st 2lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: Michael Chapman

Approaching two years since he last showed any form to speak of, and has a lot to prove from 9lb out of the weights this time.

150/1

Non-runners

Kingofthegame

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jack Sprat

The Times:

Kingofthegame

POSTDATA:

Aill Dubh

Daily Mail:

Imperial Rule

RP RATINGS:

Judicial Review

TOPSPEED:

El Muchacho

The Sun:

Aill Dubh

Telegraph:

Jack Sprat

The Guardian:

Jack Sprat

D Express:

Jack Sprat

The Star:

Jack Sprat

Daily Mirror:

Kingofthegame

Daily Record:

Kingofthegame