July 22 / 13.40 Cartmel

13.40

Good

Henry Cavendish 10th Birthday Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 6f 31y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Henry Cavendish 10th Birthday Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 514-54 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Scored over C&D last summer and travelled well for a long way when close fourth (just behind Jimli's Cave and Balkotic) over 3m1f here (good) three weeks ago; drops back in trip today; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Secret Secret

11st 11lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Three course wins over 2m6f; below par in two races before finishing fifth behind Evenwood Sonofagun here on Monday; has to step up.

10/1

5th

1

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

Secret Secret

12st 0lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Gained three of his five hurdling wins over C&D; would appeal more on ground slower than good but last month's low-key reappearance run ought to have teed him up for this return to Cartmel; no surprise if he features.

4/1

9th

11

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Secret Secret

11st 2lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Won here in 2023 but probably better known as a Cartmel regular now (gained last two wins there); off since a poor run in November and might be of greater interest when back at Cartmel and with this outing behind him.

16/1

Form: 7-23

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Placed on the last two of his three hurdling starts, more recently when keeping-on third in good-ground C&D maiden last month; not obviously well treated for this handicap debut but may still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Skyjack Hijack

11st 6lb

J: William Shanahan

T: Jennie Candlish

Went up 41lb for his six wins in staying hurdles in 2024; was subsequently absent for 441 days and hasn't run anything like as well since.

16/1

6th

1

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Skyjack Hijack

12st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

On a roll in the second half of 2024, rattling off six straight wins (2m5f-3m1f), but pulled up on belated return at Kelso at the end of February; entitled to strip fitter but can still only watch.

20/1

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

15:30 Kelso

Skyjack Hijack

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

On a roll in the second half of 2024, rattling off six straight wins (2m5f-3m1f) before coming unstuck when favourite for Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham; it's possible he's still to reach his ceiling but he'll need to be firing on all cylinders after 441 days off.

14/1

Form: 133-97

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner; well beaten over 2m on last month's handicap debut but his run over 2m7f at Hexham four weeks ago was more encouraging, and he remains unexposed; cheekpieces removed after one use; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:30 Cartmel

Defence Witness

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Justified favouritism over 2m5f on this card last year (good to soft), and added a Catterick stayers' event in the winter, both off 4lb lower; all wins on good to soft and soft but last month's Sedgefield second on good was the equal of his peak soft-ground form; chance.

9/2

2nd

3

10th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:38 Sedgefield

Defence Witness

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Point, bumper and dual chase winner at up to 3m1f, all on slow ground; below par at Kelso latest (2m5f, good to soft); on a competitive mark if bouncing back but will need to produce better than he has previously done on good going.

7/2

7th

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

Defence Witness

10st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Progressive in cheekpieces this season, winning twice (2m5f/3m1f, good to soft/soft) and posting a good second at Sedgefield (3m2f, soft) last time; it's possible the first-time blinkers will prompt a positive reaction today but he's up in grade and a career best is necessary.

9/1

Form: 34-318 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 5lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Didn't see out 3m1f here three weeks ago but drew nicely clear of the others with a dual subsequent winner when scoring off 4lb lower over C&D (good) in May and has strong claims if judged on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Pateen

11st 5lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jessica Bedi

Took this 12 months ago but this veteran has been off the track since finishing 12th in 2m4f Ayr handicap seven months ago; he has gone well fresh though so still needs considering.

25/1

9

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Pateen

11st 5lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jessica Bedi

Took this 12 months ago but this veteran has been off the track since finishing 12th in 2m4f Ayr handicap seven months ago; he has gone well fresh though so still needs considering.

25/1

12th

4

28th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

14:20 Ayr

Pateen

11st 7lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Jessica Bedi

in rear, mistake 1st

11/1

Form: 0000-2

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Irish raider; struggled in first two handicaps (2m4f/2m3f) but belied 66-1 odds when close second here (3m1f, good) three weeks ago, and might still have more to offer if coping with today's drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

8th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 150y

19:35 Downpatrick

Jimlis Cave

10st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: R K Watson

Sole hurdle win came here over 2m6f and his his best chase efforts have also been here; however, has been poor on last three starts and has to rebound in a big way.

16/1

11th

6

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 185y

14:42 Downpatrick

Jimlis Cave

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: R K Watson

Sole win came here in a 2m6f handicap hurdle off this mark in 2024 (good to yielding); reverts to hurdles following poor efforts in his last two runs; won't want the ground too soft.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 564P-1 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Bounced back to form with narrow C&D (good) win last month, after a break, and remains well handicapped after a 4lb rise; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Belles Benefit

12st 0lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

May not have achieved much when beating three rivals at Stratford (2m6f, good; first-time blinkers) in September and has been well held in both starts since; 3lb drop not enough to tempt.

14/1

8th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Belles Benefit

12st 0lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

May not have achieved much when beating three rivals at Stratford (2m6f, good; first-time blinkers) in September and has been well held in both starts since; 3lb drop not enough to tempt.

14/1

8th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Belles Benefit

12st 0lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Ben Case

May not have achieved much when beating three rivals at Stratford (2m6f, good; first-time blinkers) in September and has been well held in both starts since; 3lb drop not enough to tempt.

14/1

Form: 3-154

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Built upon promising hurdle debut when winning Ludlow novice (2m, good) in May and both subsequent handicap runs were respectable; needs this step up in trip to unlock improvement but she was a stayer on the Flat in France.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

16:25 Market Rasen

Bellbird

11st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Exposed mare who was winning her first handicap when a clearcut winner at Bangor (2m, good); effectively off the same mark with William Maggs' claim erasing the 5lb rise and shouldn't be too inconvenienced should it get wet.

11/2

6

21st Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

18:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Bellbird

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Still just a Ludlow novice win on her CV (2m, good); cheekpieces haven't provoked any major improvement but she continues in fair heart, finding only one completing a hat-trick too good for her at Cartmel latest.

7/4

6

24th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

16:00 Cartmel

Bellbird

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Fairly consistent in handicaps since her Ludlow novice win (2m, good) just over a year ago; drops back in trip after perfectly respectable second at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) last month and probably won't be far away.

9/2

10/1

Form: 3P-703

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
0-12 over hurdles and very inconsistent; gave good account when third at Market Rasen (2m4f, good) this month but that was the second consecutive race in which he bled from the nose; others look much less risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

15:00 Musselburgh

Agilulf

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Adam Nicol

Longstanding maiden who was soundly beaten at Newcastle last time in a first-time hood (retained); however, he's run pretty well on both previous visits to Musselburgh and the tongue-tie is back on today, which he wore when a fair fourth over C&D (good to soft) in November; interesting contender.

8/1

7th

7

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Agilulf

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Adam Nicol

in touch with leaders

20/1

7th

7

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Agilulf

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Adam Nicol

in touch with leaders, mistake 5th

20/1

Form: 455-73

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Regressive 7yo who has gone well over two years without a win; finished with a rattle to snatch third at Perth (2m4f, good) this month but his overall profile is not appealing.
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

Non-runners

Balkotic

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £20.96
Tricast £99.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Belles Benefit

POSTDATA:

Skyjack Hijack

Telegraph:

Secret Secret

RP RATINGS:

Balkotic

The Sun:

Skyjack Hijack

Daily Record:

Skyjack Hijack

The Times:

Belles Benefit

The Guardian:

Belles Benefit

Daily Mail:

Belles Benefit

Daily Mirror:

Belles Benefit

D Express:

Secret Secret

The Star:

Secret Secret