Today / 15.45 Cartmel

15.45

Good

EWGA Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £12903.44
  • 3m 1f 83y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
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EWGA Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 441-34

Last run: 98 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Well held when fourth over C&D on latest hurdling start but previously caught the eye when finishing strongly for close third in competitive race at Haydock (3m, good; first-time visor) and has since won on the Flat; raced mainly on good ground but was once placed on heavy on the Flat; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(5)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:27 Nottingham

Al Sayah

9st 9lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Neil Mulholland

Three wins over hurdles since last seen on the Flat, going almost two stone up the weights; withdrawn on account of unsuitable (good to firm) ground last summer, which would be a concern, but she's much better treated on the Flat now.

2/1

4th

2

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Al Sayah

11st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

5-14 over hurdles, the latest win gained at Taunton (3m, good; wore cheekpieces) last month; posted another career-best performance when finishing well from the rear for close third in valuable Haydock handicap (3m, good; first-time visor) 16 days ago and commands respect here.

5/1

Form: 81/635 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Returned from long absence with two respectable runs this spring (2m4f/2m7f); has a point to prove after a lesser effort last month but will be favoured by the forecast rain here and is Olly Murphy's only runner on the card; worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

26th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:12 Uttoxeter

Shallow River

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Has had only four races for Olly Murphy, the last two after a long absence; held his own in a 2m7f Worcester handicap last month won by the progressive Sunray Shadow who contests the previous race; fair shout off just 1lb higher.

5/1

3rd

3

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

19:42 Worcester

Shallow River

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Took a step forward on just his second run for Olly Murphy when landing 3m1f handicap hurdle at Carlisle in October 2024; went without his usual cheekpieces after 17 months off when a never-dangerous sixth in 2m4f Hexham handicap last month; can strip sharper now with headgear refitted.

7/2

OUR TIP

Form: 361112 C BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
In excellent form this season, winning three times on good ground (2m4f-2m7f; once here); last month's clear second at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) was another career best but he's 5lb higher today and the forecast rain is a likely negative; goes beyond about 3m for first time; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

26th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:12 Uttoxeter

Divilabother

11st 3lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has done well since arriving from Ireland and was delivered late to win handicaps at Hexham (extended 2m7f), Cartmel (2m6f) and here on Friday (2m4f) when he sat last for a long way but won easily in the end; huge chance if turned out quickly with a penalty.

9/2

1st

5

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Divilabother

11st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Ex-Irish maiden; thriving for Tristan Davidson and bids for a hat-trick following handicap wins at Hexham (2m7f) and Cartmel (2m6f) last month, getting up late each time; up another 5lb but this likeable sort is a player once more.

6/1

Form: 745P1-

Last run: 167 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Returned to form with 16-1 win at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) in March and is still on a workable mark after a 3lb rise; not sure to be in the same mood on first start for 167 days but ran quite well on only previous visit to Cartmel.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Imperial Merlin

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: John & Sean Quinn

Pulled up at Warwick in January last time but was in pretty good heart towards the end of last year and he's now 1lb lower than when winning at Haydock (3m, good) last March; also handles soft; capable of going well.

12/1

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

14:37 Warwick

Imperial Merlin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: John & Sean Quinn

Only 1lb higher than for his Haydock win over a similar trip last March; does have a lot of weight though and was only fifth at Haydock last time, finishing just behind Gwennie May Star.

8/1

Form: 4081-6

Last run: 107 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
2-8 over hurdles for the Philip Hobbs-Johnson White stable, with both wins gained at Exeter (2m5f/2m7f); sold for £22,000 after below-par run in May and was given a wind op soon afterwards; seems versatile regarding ground; market helpful before this stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Kayf Dancer

10st 11lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Lightly raced 8yo; won his first handicap at Exeter in March when beating a shorter-priced, in-form stable companion by a short head (3m, good); now 4lb higher and could go well, but lacks consistency.

4/1

1st

2

22nd Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:47 Exeter

Kayf Dancer

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won a weak maiden on this card 12 months ago and hasn't found any improvement this season in handicaps; on the plus side, it was quite a deep race he ran in at Newbury last time.

12/1

Form: 34-P8F CD

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Three-time course winner including this race off a 6lb higher mark a year ago; effective on good and soft ground but has looked badly out of sorts on all three appearances (one over C&D) this season and needs a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

15:40 Hexham

Imperial Data

11st 12lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Rebecca Menzies

Happiest hunting ground is Cartmel, but a record of 225244P around today's C&D includes a neck second in this race in 2024 off 5lb lower, with Well Educated 23l behind; miles off his best in one start apiece at each of these venues so far this term, however.

33/1

8th

3

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Imperial Data

11st 10lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Rebecca Menzies

Pulled up on soft ground this month, after a layoff, but this three-time course winner is now only 1lb higher than when holding on for narrow C&D (good) success last summer; dangerous to ignore.

20/1

Form: 568-13 C

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 9lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Returned from layoff with comfortable win here (2m6f) in June and was creditable third in competitive race over that trip here (also good) in July; respected on that evidence and stays this longer distance but significant rain will reduce her appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Belles Benefit

10st 3lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

Returned from eight-month break in excellent form three weeks ago, winning comfortably by 10l over C&D (good); 8lb higher in higher-grade race today but still considered.

7/1

1st

3

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Belles Benefit

11st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

Won this two years ago after a 157-day absence when 3lb lower and has won two more since; she wasn't in great form when last seen but could easily stage a revival.

10/1

Betting Forcast

4/1 Al Sayah, 6/1 Shallow River, 11/4 Divilabother, 6/1 Imperial Merlin, 10/1 Kayf Dancer, 14/1 Imperial Data, 100/30 Belles Benefit

Verdict

Divilabother and Belles Benefit are in good form but the forecast rain is a significant concern for both. Al Sayah (second choice) is better than he showed here in May and subsequently confirmed his well-being with a comfortable Flat win but he too has raced mainly on good ground. Perhaps the answer might be SHALLOW RIVER, who needs to rebound from a below-par effort but is on a workable mark and will benefit if conditions deteriorate.[Chris Wilson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Shallow River

Telegraph:

Divilabother

D Express:

Al Sayah

TOPSPEED:

Imperial Merlin

The Guardian:

Kayf Dancer

POSTDATA:

Belles Benefit

Daily Mail:

Divilabother

Daily Record:

Divilabother

The Sun:

Al Sayah

The Star:

Imperial Merlin

RP RATINGS:

Shallow River

The Times:

Shallow River

Daily Mirror:

Shallow River