October 30 / 16.40 Carlisle

16.40

Good To Soft

Dowson Blades Cumberland Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 3m 2f 34y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Dowson Blades Cumberland Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 74211- CD

Last run: 244 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 8yo who won two soft-ground chases here in February (3m/3m2f), the last time all out to fend off Mount Melleray; a bad blunder two out was unlike him and he still looks well handicapped off only 5lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

26th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Houston Texas

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Won 3m/3m2f handicaps on testing ground last year but has been struggling of late and cheekpieces didn't work wonders for him last time; no headgear here but others have more pressing claims.

10/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 53P4-6 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Bright points last season included a 3m1f win at Plumpton and a third in the Eider (4m1f); finished tailed off at Chepstow three weeks ago but 2m7f on fast ground was always likely to find him out; much better can be expected of him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Innisfree Lad

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Dennis

Thorough stayer with nine wins on his CV; not an easy one to predict nowadays and failed to build upon his encouraging seasonal debut when never dangerous at Chepstow last month but has his headgear switched today and is too well handicapped to rule out.

11/2

5th

5

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Innisfree Lad

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Dennis

Thorough stayer with nine wins on his CV; not an easy one to predict nowadays and failed to build upon his encouraging seasonal debut when never dangerous at Chepstow last month but has his headgear switched today and is too well handicapped to rule out.

11/2

7

11th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:30 Chepstow

Innisfree Lad

11st 10lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: David Dennis

Veteran with nine wins to his name and, with cheekpieces back on, he ran well for a long way at Warwick 17 days ago (good to soft); that was encouraging after a lengthy break but he's no certainty to be as good again.

10/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 81444-

Last run: 192 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in the novice handicap chase on this card 12 months ago and remained over hurdles for the rest of the season, running well in the main; has won a novice chase over fences (1-8 overall) but has yet to convince as a thorough stayer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

15:52 Perth

Flower Of Scotland

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Rated much higher back in the day but she was out of form last season and no sign of turning things around this campaign.

25/1

11

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

15:52 Perth

Flower Of Scotland

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

in rear

25/1

7

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:00 Carlisle

Flower Of Scotland

10st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

never going well, always behind, pulled up after 9th

7/1

Form: /3422-

Last run: 244 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
A 12-race maiden but unlucky not to put that right back in February when touched off in a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Ayr and then by Houston Texas on his return to fences over C&D; up only 3lb for that and his turn will come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

20th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 4

14:10 Ayr

Mount Melleray

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Alison Hamilton

13-race maiden who has a 416-day absence to defy and his best form has come over fences; however, he's well handicapped on his peak chase efforts and has also shown promise over hurdles; not discounted on return.

10/1

4th

4

30th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

3m 2f 34y

Class 3

16:40 Carlisle

Mount Melleray

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Alison Hamilton

jumped left on occasions, led, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, weakened final 110yds

15/2

Form: 3F121- D

Last run: 232 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Jumped none too fluently but dug deep when it mattered to make it 2-4 over fences at Ayr (3m, soft) in March; could well have better days ahead of him but record when fresh isn't particularly encouraging; on the plus side, stable is in form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

13th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:55 Ayr

Niceandeasy

11st 10lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Stayed on gamely to score at Kelso (3m2f, soft; first-time tongue-tie) in November but was below that form the following month (albeit on heavy ground) and has become difficult to predict; younger rivals appeal more.

12/1

5th

7

23rd Dec 2023

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

15:15 Haydock

Niceandeasy

10st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Returned to hurdling for last two starts and it paid off last time when he was always front rank to win seven-runner race at Kelso (3m2f, soft; acts on heavy); tongue tied for the first time that day, so maybe he's turned a corner; back up 3lb but his form of previous seasons (up to last December) was significantly better.

4/1

Form: 2F2F4-

Last run: 222 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Has fallen in two of his four chases but this mark is very manageable and he probably found 3m6f a stretch when in first-time cheekpieces at Exeter the last time (went close there in December over 3m); fully entitled to be involved if this run isn't badly needed.
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: 3/133-

Last run: 237 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Didn't hang about over hurdles and made a succesful chase/handicap debut over 2m4f at Lingfield last November, which he followed with two pleasing seconds (2m5f/2m3f); interesting now granted a stiffer stamina test (pedigree bodes well) and needs considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:00 Chepstow

Seven No Trumps

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Sole chase win at 2m4f in late 2021 (good to soft); had stamina to prove at 3m2f and 3m this season but was still beaten a long way out before pulling up at Exeter in November (first-time cheekpieces, retained); had wind surgery since; return to 2m3f can suit but hard to be confident.

14/1

9

20th Nov 2022

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

15:00 Exeter

Seven No Trumps

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

2m4f chase winner who is still not fully exposed; non-stayer over a testing 3m2f on seasonal debut; possibilities back down in trip, provided he takes well to first-time cheekpieces.

8/1

Form: /564P- C

Last run: 191 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
The winner of two handicap chases (2m4f/3m) but last season was a struggle on the back of a long absence and he returns with questions to answer; on the plus side, he's 9lb beneath his last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

24th Feb 2024

Heavy

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:08 Newcastle

Rath An Iuir

10st 3lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Rose Dobbin

The new visor (kept since, replacing cheekpieces) worked a treat when he won at Kelso (3m2f, heavy) over Christmas for the second year running; he hasn't sparked that often in the last two years, though, showing little on latest outing; beaten just over 20l when sixth and fifth in the last two Eiders, so others look more solid.

14/1

5th

4

24th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 4

12:50 Catterick

Rath An Iuir

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Rose Dobbin

The new visor worked a treat when winning a 3m2f handicap at Kelso (heavy) over Christmas for the second year running; 4lb rise won't prevent another bold show if he's as good again (not guaranteed).

11/4

Form: 11/5P-

Last run: 253 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
It wasn't a strong Welsh National that he won in early 2021 and not a lot has happened since then, running only twice; still not exposed as a staying chaser and he's young enough to get back on track, but carrying a big weight here on his first run since February is not ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

25

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Secret Reprieve

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Evan Williams

Has not had much racing, or recaptured his form, since winning the Welsh Grand National in January 2021; 2lb lower today, even from 5lb out of the handicap; two places last winter but pulled up in the 2023 Midlands National and well beaten behind Ballygriffin Cottage at Sandown when next seen nearly a year later.

66/1

25

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Secret Reprieve

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Evan Williams

Has not had much racing, or recaptured his form, since winning the Welsh Grand National in January 2021; 2lb lower today, even from 5lb out of the handicap; two places last winter but pulled up in the 2023 Midlands National and well beaten behind Ballygriffin Cottage at Sandown when next seen nearly a year later.

66/1

6th

8

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Secret Reprieve

11st 9lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Evan Williams

Has not had much racing since winning the Welsh Grand National in January 2021, running respectably twice last winter but beaten some way out in the Midlands National when last seen in March; well handicapped but seems fragile and probably best watched after nearly a year off.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £41.70
Straight Forecast £37.82
Tricast £249.68
Trifecta £248.20

Selections

POSTDATA:

Houston Texas

WEST COUNTRY:

Morning Spirit

SPOTLIGHT:

Innisfree Lad

Daily Mirror:

Seven No Trumps

RP Ratings:

Rath An Iuir

The Times:

Houston Texas

Daily Mail:

Houston Texas

The Star:

Houston Texas

Daily Record:

Houston Texas

Telegraph:

Morning Spirit

D Express:

Morning Spirit

The Sun:

Morning Spirit

TOPSPEED:

Innisfree Lad