April 08 / 15.40 Carlisle

15.40

Soft

Ability FM Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £9769.85
  • 1m 7f 207y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Ability FM Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.90
  • Place: £2.70

Form: P55264 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won a Listed handicap at Ayr (2m, good to soft) last April but he's been generally disappointing since and has been well held in both runs this year; wind surgery and is now 10lb lower than for last success but he needs to step up after another break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

29th May 2023

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Return Ticket

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Back in prime form when winning easily at Carlisle (2m, good to soft) last month, and his subsequent fourth in a good race at Ayr (2m, good) was perfectly respectable; claims on that evidence but needs to prove he can handle this track (pulled up in this race last year on only previous visit).

6/1

4th

5

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:15 Ayr

Return Ticket

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Gained the most notable of his nine successes in this event (2m, good to soft) 12 months ago; mostly disappointing since but he returned to form after wind surgery to score in clearcut style at Carlisle two weeks ago; still 1lb lower than for last year's win so has to be considered, although today's contest looks a fair bit stronger.

11/2

1st

2

8th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

15:40 Carlisle

Return Ticket

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

soon went second, led 2 out, went clear approaching last, easily

16/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 213443

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner who scored over fences at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in November but he's not really gone on from that in four runs since; finished a fair third under a positive ride at Doncaster (2m4f, good) last time but he needs to find more on this drop back to 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:30 Kelso

Grand Voyage

10st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Stuart Coltherd

Following a two-month break and a spell in the doldrums this 10yo returned to form when third of 13 at Ayr (3m, soft) a fortnight ago; this C&D winner could be in the mix if backing up that latest performance.

9/1

3rd

12

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:13 Ayr

Grand Voyage

10st 2lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Stuart Coltherd

Two-time hurdle winner who is 5lb lower than when winning over fences here last March; however, this 10yo has been unable to threaten across his five starts since, back over hurdles on the last two occasions.

33/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 4221P2 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Triple chase winner who dug deep when scoring at Hereford (2m, soft) in January; reportedly suffering from an irregular heartbeat when disappointing at Chepstow but bounced back with a good second at Wincanton 12 days ago; probably wouldn't want the ground to dry out but he still looks on a workable mark and has possibilities if conditions are in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Galop De Chasse

11st 8lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

He was weakening when falling in a small field at Bangor (2m4f, soft) and then tailed off at Newbury; too well handicapped to ignore but wouldn't be the percentage call.

20/1

7th

1

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 4

16:07 Newbury

Galop De Chasse

11st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

He was weakening when falling in a small field at Bangor (2m4f, soft) but there were signs of returning to form and he's very well handicapped now.

25/1

Form: 3-4442 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Very smart hurdler in his prime; has record of 1-12 over fences but he's on a dangerous mark in this sphere and was a creditable second at Haydock (2m, soft) on his recent return from a short break; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

16:40 Hexham

Cornerstone Lad

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Regressive 11yo; returned from layoff with two disappointing runs in February and absent for another 101 days since but will be favoured by the forecast rain here and is too well handicapped to rule out.

12/1

6th

5

26th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:18 Wetherby

Cornerstone Lad

11st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

always behind

16/1

10th

9

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

14:08 Wetherby

Cornerstone Lad

10st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

High-class hurdler in his prime but it's now over three years since his latest win; ended last season with some very respectable efforts and resumes on a tempting mark but younger rivals appeal more all the same; swaps blinkers for refitted cheekpieces.

14/1

Form: 412-51 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
8yo who has won over fences in two of his last four starts, including when making all to win by a nose at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft) on his return last month; pulled clear with the runner-up in that race but this is tougher and he could have competition for the lead this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

7th Mar 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

16:28 Leicester

You Say Nothing

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Christian Williams

Had been struggling but bounced back for a fourth chase success at Lingfield two weeks ago (2m, soft; made most); wouldn't be certain to repeat that form but clear claims if he can off 5lb higher.

10/11

Form: 57U22F BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Unexposed chaser who has finished runner-up twice at Ayr (2m, heavy/good to soft) this year and he was 10l clear when falling at the final fence there (2m, good) last month; mark has gone up 7lb but he still looks feasibly treated and is a major player if he can put in a clear round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Champ De Gane

11st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Returned from long absence with quite encouraging hurdle run in May and ran well for a long way over C&D (good; race in which Salamanca Bay fell) last month; finished rather weakly on both occasions but might last longer if first-time hood helps him to settle better in early stages today.

7/1

5th

5

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:22 Perth

Champ De Gane

10st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Longstanding maiden but has form figures of 222 at Perth (fences/hurdles); runner-up eight times in total; could go well with Kelso reappearance under his belt.

8/1

Form: 32F562 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
9yo with a record of 4-22 over fences, including a C&D win; has patchy record since his last success 12 months ago but he returned to form with a front-running second at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) ten days ago and has claims if he can build on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

29th Jun 2025

Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

The King Of May

11st 6lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

5-30 over fences, his latest win coming off 1lb lower here (2m5f, soft) last July; still has to prove his stamina, but he ran well for a long way on his stable debut/return from 253 days off at Hexham (3m, good to soft) 15 days ago; could go well.

7/1

4th

5

14th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:28 Hexham

The King Of May

11st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tristan Davidson

Won off a much reduced mark at Cartmel (2m5f, soft) last summer but didn't go on from there and this 11yo has been out for a while.

14/1

5th

3

4th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:15 Hexham

The King Of May

11st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

in touch with leaders

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 11341F D BF

Last run: 178 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won three of his first six starts over fences and he held a narrow lead when falling at the last at Wetherby (2m3f, good) in his final run last year; drops back in trip after 178 days off but he's a versatile type who is open to more progress in this sphere; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

8th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:40 Perth

Saint Arvans

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Maurice Barnes

Beaten 20l when second two starts back and then behind Wasdell Dundalk over C&D two months ago; an 11yo now and powers are on the wane.

14/1

6

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:43 Perth

Saint Arvans

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Maurice Barnes

Getting long in the tooth now and was not at his best on any of three outings in the spring, most recently when remote second behind Whistleinthedark over C&D; on a very good mark now, though, and might be boosted by refitted cheekpieces today.

7/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:50 Perth

Saint Arvans

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Maurice Barnes

Good-ground performer; last win was over C&D in June 2023 (good); some fair efforts since; back on a decent mark; needs to improve on recent efforts.

10/1

Form: 460142 D BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Has a patchy record in his 11 starts but was a clearcut winner over fences at Ayr (2m) in January and he was only narrowly denied when favourite over C&D two weeks ago; nudged up 2lb for that but he still has potential in this sphere and is respected; both wins have come on heavy ground but he's run well on good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:07 Ayr

Netywell

12st 0lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Regressive 9yo who is sliding down the weights; has two wins over C&D and has won off 9lb higher so cannot be discounted.

2/1

4th

2

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

15:43 Ayr

Netywell

11st 13lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

C&D winner who is well handicapped on form as recent as last March and today's drop back in grade could help; however, his performances have been patchy this season and he needs to get back on track.

20/1

Non-runners

Netywell

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £53.10
Straight Forecast £46.21
Tricast £155.48
Trifecta £211.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Champ De Gane

RP Ratings:

Cornerstone Lad

Telegraph:

You Say Nothing

The Times:

Grand Voyage

Daily Mail:

Return Ticket

D Express:

Champ De Gane

The Sun:

Champ De Gane

The Star:

Champ De Gane

The Guardian:

You Say Nothing

Daily Mirror:

You Say Nothing

TOPSPEED:

Cornerstone Lad

POSTDATA:

Cornerstone Lad

Daily Record:

Cornerstone Lad