December 17 / 14.10 Carlisle

14.10

Good To Soft

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £16338
  • 3m 1f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1215-8

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Progressed every time last season, all on soft and ending with fifth of 15 when 40-1 in Grade 1 novice at Aintree in April; his handicap mark was raised 10lb as a result of that and he came only eighth of 15 in a Grade 3 handicap at Haydock (3m, good to soft; 14-1) on reappearance, but was hampered at the final flight and has now come back down 3lb; lightly raced too, so improvement may be possible; also has 7lb claimer this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

17th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:10 Carlisle

Howlingmadmurdock

11st 12lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

in touch with leaders in centre of group, not fluent 5th

5/2

8th

3

25th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:20 Haydock

Howlingmadmurdock

11st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Progressed every time in his five-race career, all on soft, including when winning his only handicap (Sandown 2m4f) and when fifth of 15 when 40-1 in Grade 1 novice at Aintree in April; there's a concern that the latter has blown his handicap mark (10lb rise) but he's so lightly raced, he's surely open to further improvement.

25/1

5th

4

14th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Howlingmadmurdock

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Drew a long way clear of the others with a next-time-out winner when scoring on handicap debut at Sandown (2m4f) last month and is now 2-3 over hurdles; this is a big jump up in grade from 0-120 company but he could quite plausibly have a lot more improvement to come over 3m; raced only on soft ground.

20/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 112-18 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Usually front-runner; major improvement in the spring when stepped up to 3m+ on soft ground and he reappeared with clearcut win at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) in November; ran poorly off this 5lb higher mark at Newbury 16 days ago but it was all positives before that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Ramo

11st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

Hasn't won since Ludlow success in November 2023 (2m5f, good to soft); two fair runs over this sort of trip at Market Rasen and Ffos Las in February and could go well again.

6/1

2nd

3

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:52 Ffos Las

Ramo

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Best effort for two years when under 4l behind Gold In The Rivers at Market Rasen latest (2m7f, soft), passing stopping rivals having lost his pitch; 2lb swing with that rival and yard back among winners in the meantime.

7/2

3rd

4

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:20 Market Rasen

Ramo

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Well handicapped on old form but didn't fire during light campaign last season and was tailed off when reappearing in December; revival needed.

10/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 500-3P

Last run: 136 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
4-17 over hurdles, with none of those races beyond 2m3f and disappointing in this sphere (four runs) since last December; this is vastly less demanding company and he's had some creditable Flat runs this autumn, including the biggest win of his career (front-running at 2m on soft) but the stamina question is a major one.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

29th Aug 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

18:53 Down Royal

Prairie Dancer

11st 0lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Nine wins in all spheres with the last of those coming in a Thurles handicap chase last December; poor the last twice over hurdles including behind Happy Jacky at Cork; has to rebound

14/1

3

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 0y

17:07 Killarney

Prairie Dancer

11st 6lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Flat winner who is now useful over hurdles and fences; runner-up over 2m4f at Clonmel before not staying 3m at Cork; exposed but shouldn't be far away.

7/1

21

31st Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

16:30 Galway

Prairie Dancer

10st 6lb

J: Aidan Kelly

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Twice placed in conditions races this summer; little appeal in this company; first reserve.

Form: 4-6P42 CD BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
The last three of his wins (two over fences) came over about 3m at Carlisle and easily the best three of his last five performances were also those at this track; has never made the first three on soft or heavy ground but showed enough in a soft-ground chase on penultimate start to be of interest still, even though he's 6lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

29th May 2024

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

19:20 Cartmel

Court Dreaming

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

All five wins have been on good ground, so the weather needs watching, but he also had that when pulled up over fences last time; on a useful mark if putting his best foot forward back over hurdles.

9/1

3

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:00 Hexham

Court Dreaming

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

in rear, awkward jump 2nd, pecked on landing 3rd, soon reminders and tailed off, pulled up after 4th

12/1

3

11th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:00 Hexham

Court Dreaming

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

in rear, awkward jump 2nd, pecked on landing 3rd, soon reminders and tailed off, pulled up after 4th

12/1

Form: 1/PF-0 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Interesting judged on best efforts over hurdles (3m, heavy) two winters back but he failed to complete in two chases last winter; left Dr Newland and remote when 100-1 at Cheltenham (2m5f hurdle race) one month ago on first run for new yard, so there's a big doubt over what he's currently capable of.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

30th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:25 Carlisle

Foillan

11st 10lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Patrick Neville

Three wins over hurdles, over 2m4f on good to soft and twice over 3m on heavy; hasn't been at his best since returning from a year out and, having travelled well, his finishing effort in this new headgear combination last time was disappointing.

12/1

4th

3

27th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

16:50 Catterick

Foillan

11st 12lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Patrick Neville

3m winner on heavy ground and has become very well handicapped; has been contesting stronger races than this and didn't run at all badly at Haydock last time in a race he won two years earlier; that was after wind surgery and in new headgear; visor replaces cheekpieces this time.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: /3PF-6 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Failed to complete on three of his last four starts over fences and well below form when reverting to hurdles on reappearance five weeks ago (only his third run in this sphere); has a good mark judged on best chase form, most of which has been over about 3m on testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Omar Maretti

11st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Easy winner of a four-runner handicap off this mark at Catterick in February (3m1f, heavy); not run quite as well since; usually needs a race after a break.

8/1

4th

4

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Omar Maretti

11st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Easy winner of a four-runner handicap off this mark at Catterick in February (3m1f, heavy); not run quite as well since; usually needs a race after a break.

8/1

Form: 6-3603 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Ground looks okay; wide-margin winner of small-field 2m3f novice here on stable debut in March 2022 but lost his way last season and this summer; had wind op in September; first run since when upped to 3m here two weeks ago and he wasn't beaten far (Court Dreaming second) but set a steady pace, so that last of three does not prove his stamina; 10lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:40 Hexham

Palm Beach

11st 6lb

J: Mr Sam Burton

T: Victor Thompson

Has won over hurdles for three different yards, most recently at Worcester (2m7f, good) last July, but he's been pulled up in three starts for this stable and drops into a seller with masses to find at the weights.

100/1

8

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:12 Perth

Palm Beach

10st 7lb

J: Miss Amy Milburn

T: Victor Thompson

Worcester winner for Ben Pauling last July (2m7f, good) but has been pulled up on both starts for Victor Thompson since, the first in a point, the second in a handicap hurdle at Newcastle; bit to prove.

50/1

9

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

15:35 Newcastle

Palm Beach

10st 3lb

J: Miss Pippa Brown

T: Victor Thompson

With Ben Pauling when taking advantage of a light weight at Worcester (2m7f, good) last July; changed hands soon after; pulled up on comeback at Friars Haugh (2m4f point; first time over fences); better to look elsewhere.

28/1

Form: 214-89 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Held up; best efforts when winning easily by 6l at Kelso (heavy) last December and staying-on fourth of 14 at Sandown (good to soft) in February, both over about 2m7f; no show on either start this season and has come down just 2lb as a result, but it's possible he needed those runs; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

14

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Schalke

11st 1lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Short in chasing experience for a race of this nature, having steered clear of fences since finishing fourth of six runners in a handicap in late 2022; has at least rediscovered some form over hurdles for his new yard but others are safer propositions.

12/1

4th

14

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Schalke

11st 1lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Short in chasing experience for a race of this nature, having steered clear of fences since finishing fourth of six runners in a handicap in late 2022; has at least rediscovered some form over hurdles for his new yard but others are safer propositions.

12/1

3rd

6

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

12:30 Haydock

Schalke

11st 8lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

in rear, headway and went third before 3 out, no impression from 2 out

5/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.80
Straight Forecast £5.77
Tricast £22.29
Trifecta £23.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Howlingmadmurdock

SPOTLIGHT:

Schalke

The Star:

Foillan

Daily Record:

Court Dreaming

TOPSPEED:

Howlingmadmurdock

The Times:

Howlingmadmurdock

Telegraph:

Howlingmadmurdock

D Express:

Howlingmadmurdock

Daily Mirror:

Howlingmadmurdock

POSTDATA:

Schalke