February 20 / 15.15 Carlisle

15.15

Good To Soft

Andrew Fairley Retirement Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £9769.85
  • 3m 0f 110y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
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Andrew Fairley Retirement Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.90
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 81-224 BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Solid second at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) and Kempton (3m, soft) in December, suggesting he has a decent handicap in him; disappointing favourite last time but has clear possibilities if putting that quickly behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

18th Mar 2023

Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Tile Tapper

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Chris Honour

Raised his profile this season in some decent handicap chases and saw out the stiff 3m at Carlisle (good to soft) to win gamely last time; progressive enough to deal with the 6lb rise but he's not raced over anything approaching this distance before, so bit of a guessing game as to whether he'll get home; others safer.

14/1

1st

5

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

15:15 Carlisle

Tile Tapper

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Solid second at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) and Kempton (3m, soft) in December, suggesting he has a decent handicap in him; disappointing favourite last time but has clear possibilities if putting that quickly behind him.

6/1

4th

7

14th Jan 2023

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:30 Kempton

Tile Tapper

10st 11lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Won at Chepstow in February on final last term and second on both starts this season, most recently over C&D (soft) at Christmas when upped in trip and Smarty Wild was third; made a bad mistake three out that day but renewed his effort very well; major player raised 1lb.

3/1

7/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 11-213

Last run: 60 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Has a very consistent chase record; good recent strike-rate, having won three of his last five starts; ties in with Lord Roco on Ayr running two months ago (when last seen); solid chance in first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:45 Kelso

Destiny Is All

12st 1lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Five-time chase winner (once over C&D); back on a good mark now but suffered dip in form after his winning seasonal debut at Ayr (3m, good to soft) in October and fell when last in action.

8/1

6th

2

22nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:45 Kelso

Destiny Is All

12st 1lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Five-time chase winner (once over C&D); back on a good mark now but suffered dip in form after his winning seasonal debut at Ayr (3m, good to soft) in October and fell when last in action.

8/1

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:02 Hexham

Destiny Is All

12st 0lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Has a good record fresh, winning first time after a summer break for last two seasons; won over 3m off this at Ayr in October but not quite at his best since; close fourth of five to Breeze Of Wind in this race 12 months ago.

7/2

12/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: B-5403 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Hurdle/chase winner in Ireland, albeit back in 2020; made an encouraging debut for new yard at Hereford (3m1f, soft; finished third) last month and holds each-way possibilities if backing up that effort.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

14:55 Southwell

Key Commander

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

1-19 over hurdles and 1-14 as a chaser; returning from 310 days off when tailed off in a handicap hurdle at Warwick and not easy to side with on the back of that.

11/2

6th

8

22nd Jan 2024

Frozen

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Warwick

Key Commander

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Ex-Irish 8yo with a strike-rate of 2-33; ran well in three chases for Mel Rowley last year but returns to hurdles following an absence and probably best watched.

25/1

Form: 34-4P7 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Scored twice off higher marks in 2021; finished third in this race last year; however, has a big doubt over current form, with last two runs dismal; others are preferred on recent evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Juge Et Parti

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: James Ewart

Two good C&D runs earlier this season, winning off 3lb lower on the second occasion (heavy); well beaten since; needs to bounce back.

10/1

5th

1

22nd Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Juge Et Parti

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: James Ewart

in touch with leaders, pushed along briefly after 3 out

10/1

5th

3

15th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

16:35 Newcastle

Juge Et Parti

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: James Ewart

Dug deep to win off much-reduced mark at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) in December and remains well handicapped on older form but he never really got involved here (2m7f) last month and has become unreliable.

12/1

Form: P43-24 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Both starts this season have come at Ayr, running okay on the first occasion but poorly latest; has a perfectly good chance off current mark provided he bounces back and takes well to first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Marown

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

12yo who is without a win since 2021 and is going beyond 3m1f for the first time; however, having dropped down the weights, he took a step back in the right direction when third over Carlisle's stiff 3m recently and his trainer does very well with veterans; not discounted.

14/1

3rd

5

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Marown

11st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Remains without a victory since 2021 and he's been pulled up on his last three runs, most recently in 2m7f Newcastle handicap in January; he's not easy to make a case for.

14/1

2

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

Marown

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

12yo who needs to prove how much ability he retains; however, he's well handicapped on his best 2024 efforts and he may have needed the run at Aintree three months ago following an absence (pulled up); not written off.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-6143 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Opened his chase account with a 6l success over C&D (soft) in November when 4lb lower; ties in with Wowsham on Newcastle running last time; enters calculations in new headgear back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Worcester

Morning Spirit

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

in rear, bad mistake and almost fell 1st, detached when pulled up after 2nd

18/1

3rd

1

7th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:10 Market Rasen

Morning Spirit

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Best recent effort when second off top weight in similar event at Southwell (3m, good) on penultimate start; only 1-17 over fences but has the ability to take a serious hand.

13/2

8th

8

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:50 Worcester

Morning Spirit

11st 4lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Took big step back in right direction and stuck to his task very well when second at Southwell (3m, good) last month but is evidently not the force of old, and it's hard to predict whether he'll build on that effort.

11/2

Form: P2-696 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Not in top form this term but had a second wind surgery since last run and could well revive now dropped back in class; well treated off same mark as for Tommy Whittle win at Haydock (3m1f, soft) in 2021; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Enqarde

12st 0lb

J: Miss Molly Armytage

T: Mrs David Plunkett

Career highlight was the Tommy Whittle at Haydock in 2021; 50-1 winner of four-runner hunter chase at Leicester (2m6f, soft) this February but pulled up at Exeter (3m, good to soft) since; this 12yo is probably vulnerable.

100/1

1

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Enqarde

12st 6lb

J: Miss Molly Armytage

T: Mrs David Plunkett

Useful in his prime; 0-6 in points this season but drew 14l clear to cause 50-1 shock in four-runner Leicester hunter chase (2m6f, soft) three weeks ago; it's tricky to gauge what that form is worth or whether his revival will gather momentum but, nevertheless, he enters calculations.

7/1

1st

5

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:50 Leicester

Enqarde

11st 12lb

J: Miss Molly Armytage

T: Mrs David Plunkett

Landed the Tommy Whittle at Haydock in his younger days but is a shadow of his former self; 0-6 switched to points last term; unlikely to regain the winning thread on reappearance.

33/1

Form: 263-52

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Hurdles form includes a good effort over 3m1f here; kept on for second at Newcastle (2m7f, soft; chase debut) last month, leaving the impression he'll benefit from today's refitted cheekpieces; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

5th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Wowsham

11st 12lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: S R B Crawford

led, headed and weakened quickly before 3 out

7/1

5th

6

5th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 150y

15:20 Down Royal

Wowsham

11st 12lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: S R B Crawford

led, headed and weakened quickly before 3 out

7/1

4

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

15:52 Perth

Wowsham

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: S R B Crawford

in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: 54-222

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Banging at the door over fences having produced form figures of 222 since switched to this sphere, close second at Ayr (3m, good to soft) most recently; edging up the weights but holds solid-looking claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

22nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:10 Newcastle

Lord Roco

10st 5lb

J: William Maggs

T: James Ewart

midfield, towards rear 18th, mistake and unseated 4 out

16/1

3rd

7

28th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:30 Newcastle

Lord Roco

11st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: James Ewart

Runner-up in all his completed starts over fences, the latest when going down by 3l in a Class 3 at Ayr (2m4f, soft) on his return from a 655-day absence; returning to 3m won't faze him but needs to avoid the 'bounce'.

8/1

3rd

7

28th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:30 Newcastle

Lord Roco

11st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: James Ewart

Runner-up in all his completed starts over fences, the latest when going down by 3l in a Class 3 at Ayr (2m4f, soft) on his return from a 655-day absence; returning to 3m won't faze him but needs to avoid the 'bounce'.

8/1

Form: /213-6 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Had form figures of 11213 over fences in 2021; lost that consistency at Kempton (3m; back from 16-month absence) ten days ago but may bounce back with that reappearance under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

15th May 2023

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

18:15 Southwell

Dog Of War

11st 11lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Triple chase winner in 2021, on good to firm and good; missed all of last year; faced a tough task on his return but good to soft ground looked an issue when pulling up at Carlisle; needs conditions to dry out.

8/1

3

6th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

17:40 Uttoxeter

Dog Of War

11st 12lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

Triple chase winner in 2021, on good to firm and good, most recently over 3m on this track; missed last year and had a tough task on return at Kempton before good to soft might not have been ideal next time; had wind surgery since; too soon to give up on him.

4/1

7

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

15:15 Carlisle

Dog Of War

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Had form figures of 11213 over fences in 2021; lost that consistency at Kempton (3m; back from 16-month absence) ten days ago but may bounce back with that reappearance under his belt.

9/1

Form: 2-3211 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 123211 in handicaps and he's 2-2 since switched to chasing, the wins gained at Hereford (3m1f, soft) and Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft; easily); runs off bottom weight upped in class; improving 6yo who commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

27th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

16:20 Ludlow

Post Chaise

10st 12lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

raced in third, mistake 1st, left in second 3 out, hit 2 out, no extra approaching last

5/1

1st

7

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Post Chaise

10st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

held up in rear but in touch with leaders

10/1

1st

7

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Post Chaise

10st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

held up in rear but in touch with leaders

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £64.20
Straight Forecast £62.62
Tricast £596.71
Trifecta £682.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Post Chaise

TOPSPEED:

Tile Tapper

The Guardian:

Destiny Is All

The Times:

Morning Spirit

RP Ratings:

Key Commander

POSTDATA:

Post Chaise

Telegraph:

Post Chaise

D Express:

Post Chaise

The Sun:

Post Chaise

The Star:

Post Chaise

Daily Record:

Post Chaise

Daily Mirror:

Destiny Is All

WEST COUNTRY:

Tile Tapper

Daily Mail:

Tile Tapper