August 05 / 17.50 Carlisle

17.50

Good To Firm

Saj Ghafoor Appreciation Handicap (For Pro-Am Female Jockeys) (Jockey Club Grassroots Stayers Qual’)

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 2m 1f 47y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
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Saj Ghafoor Appreciation Handicap (For Pro-Am Female Jockeys) (Jockey Club Grassroots Stayers Qual’)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 157345

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Sole success on turf came when making virtually all at Redcar (1m6f, good) last September off 4lb lower mark; has performed with credit of late but given plenty to do when fifth at York (16.5f, good to soft) last month; claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:27 Nottingham

Merrijig

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: John Berry

Adaptable regarding ground and tactics; this looks less competitive than the Ffos Las 0-65 in which he finished second last time (hampered; two of these behind) and his claims are obvious.

7/4

2nd

2

(2)

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:39 Ffos Las

Merrijig

9st 8lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Done a lot of his winning later in the year but offered more in the returning blinkers last time, back from a couple of months off; boasts a decent record when dipping below 0-70 company and won't mind any rain.

5/1

3rd

1

(1)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Merrijig

9st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Was 2-3 on the AW until disappointing at Kempton two months ago but he had been running well in the blinkers (reapplied) and he's a three-time turf winner on a competitive mark.

8/1

7/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: /4/6-3

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Five wins over hurdles but had his first outing on the level since 2019 when third at Catterick (1m4f, good to soft) in June on stable debut; yet to race on ground firmer than good and withdrawn when ground was unsuitable (good to firm) last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 3

15:53 Exeter

Made For You

11st 9lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: John & Rhys Flint

Six-time hurdle winner, most recently in five-runner race at Worcester (2m7f, soft) last month; still on workable mark after recent 3lb rise but needs to bounce back from poor Flat run 12 days ago.

8/1

7th

4

(5)

10th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:25 Bath

Made For You

9st 13lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: John & Rhys Flint

Won his latest race over hurdles two weeks ago and that after finishing runner-up on the Flat (2m1f); clearly in good order and won't mind this ground.

6/1

6

27th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Worcester

Made For You

11st 8lb

J: Connor Brace

T: John & Rhys Flint

Consistent under both codes since joining the Flints, narrowly missing out at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) in July; similarly close second the last time a stayers' trip was tried in March 2023 off 6lb higher; chance.

100/30

16/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 063646

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Last win was in June last year; inconsistent type who followed a creditable fourth at Newcastle (16.5f) with a moderate effort when sixth at Kempton (2m) last month; difficult to keep faith with.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(13)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:25 Down Royal

Pons Aelius

9st 9lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Six-time winner at up to 2m in Britain but yet to hit any sort of form for current yard; career-low mark and tongue-tie tried so don't rule out.

12/1

11th

7

(16)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 190y

15:22 Sligo

Pons Aelius

9st 11lb

J: Gabriella Hill

T: H D McGuigan

Donegal yard likes to pick up horses with back-form, often from Britain, and try to rejuvenate them; six-time winner at up to 2m but hasn't been finishing out his races in Ireland and been off a while.

18/1

8th

9

(9)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

17:15 Dundalk (AW)

Pons Aelius

9st 0lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: H D McGuigan

Six-time winner for Charlie Johnston and best form over this trip; poor on first two runs for this yard at big prices; better than bare result when beaten over 5l at Gowran last May; yard's first runner of the year won on Tuesday; no surprise were he to go well after a break with leading claimer aboard.

20/1

Form: 224015 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Rewarded for his consistency when winning at Doncaster (14.5f, good to soft) last month; beaten 3l when fifth in a higher grade at York (16.5f, good to firm) ten days ago; this is easier and he has every chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(11)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:20 Carlisle

Marbuzet

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Won twice in blinkers last season (1m7f/2m); back on a workable mark but made a low-key reappearance in cheekpieces (retained) last month and needs that run to have brought him on.

16/1

5th

2

(1)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Thirsk

Marbuzet

9st 6lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Had a good 2025, winning over 1m7f at Ayr (good to firm) and 2m at Chester (good); also runner-up on five other occasions, including his reappearance.

4/1

Form: 7/4/4-

Last run: 362 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles last month but hasn't run much on the Flat in recent years and his last success in this sphere was in 2018; best watched unless the market speaks in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:50 Cartmel

Ashington

11st 3lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Mark Walford

Won this race on good ground under Becky Smith a year ago and defends his crown from a good mark but recent Flat/hurdling form has been underwhelming and conditions are not in his favour today.

33/1

9th

10

(9)

5th Jul 2025

Soft

1m 3f 39y

Class 5

19:42 Carlisle

Ashington

10st 0lb

J: Miss Becky Smith

T: Mark Walford

Better known as a jumper and yet recent efforts in that scene haven't been great, and he was only midfield over C&D last month.

20/1

7th

5

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:57 Uttoxeter

Ashington

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Stuck on a losing run and finished last in two hurdle races before finishing only sixth off his low Flat mark 13 days ago; others much preferred.

25/1

6th
12 (13)
Tarbat Ness

10/1

Form: -64223 BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who's been placed in his last three starts but lacks a turn of foot and is hard to win with (1-20); sure to be thereabouts but doesn't appeal for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(6)

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

20:09 Carlisle

Tarbat Ness

10st 5lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Thorough stayer whose wins have all been at about 2m; arrives in reasonable form and has placed on two of his three C&D visits; might be the one to follow Laravie home.

5/1

3rd

1

(1)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:08 Kempton (AW)

Tarbat Ness

9st 11lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: John Berry

Thorough stayer whose wins have all been at about 2m, his two AW successes coming on Tapeta; 4lb higher than the most recent of those and has each-way claims.

15/2

5th

12

(1)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Ascot

Tarbat Ness

9st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: John Berry

All five wins at 2m, including three on soft going, latterly at Catterick in October; went back-to-back at Newcastle (AW) at the start of the year and fourth at Ripon (2m, good) on latest outing was close to his best; same mark, so needs to find extra, but he can't be ruled out.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 23-823 BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Latest two wins at about 2m4f over hurdles but won at 1m2f and 1m4f on the Flat last summer; in good form back on the Flat with placed efforts at Doncaster (14.5f, good) and Newmarket (2m, good to firm) in June; suited by good or quicker ground; sound claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

My Chiquita

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Built upon pleasing stable debut when coming from off the pace for C&D (good) success under Leah Noreci in May; subsequent 3lb rise ought to be manageable and she can make her presence felt again.

11/2

1st

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:10 Cartmel

My Chiquita

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

A fairly useful 2m4f hurdles winner for Ben Brookhouse; made a promising start for her new yard after eight months off when third of eight over 2m4f at Aintree eight days ago; she should strip sharper here and rates a player off the same mark.

7/1

3rd

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

My Chiquita

12st 2lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Runner-up to Masked Dance in this race two years ago and her final two runs of last year were right up there with her best; could easily be a factor if in the same form for new stable after a break.

8/1

8th
11 (1)
Trojan Sun

16/1

Form: 47725 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Five-race maiden; ran twice over 2m (good) last month at Musselburgh, running his best race on handicap debut when second (ridden by Amie Waugh) but then failed to replicate that effort when a moderate fifth there 13 days ago; first-time cheekpieces on and chance if back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:20 York

Trojan Sun

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Probably best known for Musselburgh exploits but last two wins were at Nottingham last October and Carlisle last month; below form on sole start here (last October) but probably best forgiven being well beaten 17 days ago as that was just 1m3f; chief concern is that he needs another career best.

20/1

6th

6

(2)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 4

17:05 Carlisle

Trojan Sun

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Made it win number six when scoring here (1m6f, good; has won at up to 2m2f) last Monday; 5lb penalty makes life tough and he's never won at shorter than 1m6f; evidently in good heart, though.

11/1

1st

10

(3)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:20 Carlisle

Trojan Sun

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won four times last season (1m6f-2m2f) and looked as good as ever when clear third in quite valuable Musselburgh handicap (2m, good) in April but didn't fire at Hamilton last month and has now disappointed on four of his last five appearances.

9/1

10/1

Form: 065163 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark at Pontefract (2m1f, good) in June and a good effort when third at Catterick (2m, soft) last month; still has low mileage and should have more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(3)

27th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Ripon

Sam Sarphati

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Sara Ender

Won at Pontefract (2m1f, good) in June when upped in trip on third handicap start; mixed form since but he ran well when third at Catterick (2m, soft) two starts ago and is not discounted.

9/2

9th

13

(12)

5th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

17:50 Carlisle

Sam Sarphati

9st 6lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Sara Ender

took keen hold, midfield, raced wide with one circuit to go, in touch with leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong

10/1

3rd

8

(5)

10th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

16:20 Catterick

Sam Sarphati

9st 2lb

J: Harrison Shaw

T: Sara Ender

took keen hold, pressed leader, led narrowly 4f out, headed over 1f out, edged right and no extra inside final furlong

11/2

5/1

Form: 676611

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Ended a long losing run going back to October 2022 when winning at Catterick (2m, soft) last month and followed up at Musselburgh (2m, good) 13 days ago; nudged up another 2lb; should still be competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:13 Cartmel

Achnamara

11st 8lb

J: Ian Power

T: Philip Kirby

Didn't run badly in a low-grade Flat marathon last month but he ended the last jumps season with two disappointing runs (both 2m4f) and has a bit more to prove than some of these.

14/1

3rd

8

(1)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:32 Pontefract

Achnamara

9st 0lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Well beaten over hurdles on his last two starts but hasn't run badly on his last two Flat outings (1m4f/2m, AW) and his trainer has won two of the last six runnings of this race; not discounted.

14/1

9th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:07 Newcastle

Achnamara

11st 11lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Philip Kirby

Scored twice over hurdles (at about 2m4f) in 2024-25 but has failed to fire this term and beat just two in 2m4f Sedgefield handicap hurdle ten days ago; others appeal more.

25/1

12/1

Form: 4/5/6/

Last run: 1848 days

W: 10st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Veteran with eight wins under rules; on the downgrade over hurdles and unraced on the Flat since July 2019; easy to dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

27th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

18:15 Hexham

Kajaki

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

It's now 12 runs since his last success in 2023 but he wasn't disgraced when sixth of ten in 2m6f Cartmel handicap in May; no forlorn hope after a break.

14/1

6th

14

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Kajaki

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

On a losing run but this veteran comes here in decent nick, fading only late over 3m at Musselburgh in March; considered now dropped back in trip off a handy-looking mark.

16/1

6th

14

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Kajaki

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

On a losing run but this veteran comes here in decent nick, fading only late over 3m at Musselburgh in March; considered now dropped back in trip off a handy-looking mark.

16/1

Form: 9/147-

Last run: 362 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Winning hurdler but pulled up in two 3m chases in June/July; won off this mark on the Flat in April last year but unraced in this sphere since last August; holds claims if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:40 Market Rasen

Giovanni Change

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Six of his nine wins have come at Market Rasen including over C&D; only 1lb higher than for his win at Wetherby in March but he's been vulnerable in three runs since and needs to rediscover his spark.

10/1

5th

3

6th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

18:10 Hexham

Giovanni Change

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Admirable Market Rasen specialist (six wins there); won over 3m at Wetherby (good; from 2lb lower) in March, but hasn't been at his best since; uncharacteristically laboured (never travelling) when remote third latest; bit to prove.

10/1

3rd

6

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

15:50 Market Rasen

Giovanni Change

10st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Six-time course winner; not the force of old and has become inconsistent but looked in good nick when scoring at Wetherby (3m, good) in March, and last month's C&D third was perfectly respectable.

5/1

Non-runners

Queensland Boy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £50.60
Straight Forecast £47.49
Tricast £265.82
Trifecta £277.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Marbuzet

Daily Mail:

Achnamara

The Star:

Sam Sarphati

The Guardian:

Queensland Boy

Daily Mirror:

My Chiquita

Telegraph:

Merrijig

The Times:

Tarbat Ness

RP RATINGS:

Pons Aelius

D Express:

Made For You

Daily Record:

Achnamara

POSTDATA:

Marbuzet

The Sun:

Marbuzet