March 26 / 15.10 Carlisle

15.10

Heavy

Bells Fishmongers Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 3m 1f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Bells Fishmongers Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.20
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 5F1796

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Down the field the last twice (2m4f, good to soft/good) but she's now 3lb lower than when winning a four-runner mares' handicap at Perth (3m, soft) last September and the return to testing ground may suit; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 4

18:58 Hexham

Topkapi Star

10st 3lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Ewan Whillans

2m5f winner at Ayr in January; bit cold in the meantime and well behind Belvedere Blast at Cartmel most recently; she's not out the weights this time but will still do well to reverse those placings.

12/1

10

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Topkapi Star

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Ewan Whillans

Returned to form with a 20-1 win in first-time cheekpieces at Ayr (2m5f, soft) in January but her next two runs were disappointing and she's 5lb out of the weights here.

33/1

10

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

18:40 Cartmel

Topkapi Star

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Ewan Whillans

Returned to form with a 20-1 win in first-time cheekpieces at Ayr (2m5f, soft) in January but her next two runs were disappointing and she's 5lb out of the weights here.

33/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 5-7463

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Ran his best race of the season when third at Ayr (3m, good to soft) last month and that race has worked out really well; has shown promise on soft/heavy ground and he's a contender if repeating that latest form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Nights In Venice

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Opened his account over C&D last February and arrives in decent nick, third of 11 in 2m4f Carlisle handicap chase 18 days ago; considered.

11/2

11

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 4

16:30 Carlisle

Nights In Venice

11st 1lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Inconsistent but he won at Ayr (2m4f, heavy) last February and returned to form in a reapplied tongue-tie (retained) when third of 15 here (3m, soft) a fortnight ago; might not be far away now back down in trip.

14/1

3rd

5

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Nights In Venice

11st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Pulled up in sole run this term; respectable fourth in this contest 12 months ago, then won off this mark at Ayr (beat Travail d'Orfevre); likely player if back to that form.

12/1

OUR TIP

6/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 562512 D BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at Wetherby (3m, soft) in January and neck second of 15 at Hexham (2m7f, heavy) ten days ago, when appearing to idle after hitting the front; has a progressive profile and holds strong claims once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:45 Ayr

Piaff Bubbles

11st 11lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won a Wetherby novice handicap in January 2023 (3m, soft); some fair runs since, including when fourth at Catterick last time (3m1f, soft; cheekpieces tried); tongue-tie now, as well as a hood and cheekpieces; a possible.

13/2

4th

3

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:45 Ayr

Piaff Bubbles

11st 11lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won a Wetherby novice handicap in January 2023 (3m, soft); some fair runs since, including when fourth at Catterick last time (3m1f, soft; cheekpieces tried); tongue-tie now, as well as a hood and cheekpieces; a possible.

13/2

4th

7

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

15:35 Catterick

Piaff Bubbles

10st 12lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

held up in rear, not fluent 7th, pushed along before 2 out, headway after 2 out, no impression run-in

4/1

Form: 896014 BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Improved to win in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Kelso (2m6f, good) last month and fair fourth at Ayr (3m, good) since off this 6lb higher mark; has shown some promise on testing ground; may not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:28 Hexham

Shantou Moon

12st 0lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: William Young Jnr

Beaten 12l and 22l in two hunter chases last month and probably up against it with top weight.

25/1

5th

6

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:40 Cartmel

Shantou Moon

12st 0lb

J: Mr Gregor Walkingshaw

T: William Young Jnr

Made the frame in some small-field points this spring and battled on to take modest second in four-runner hunter chase at Perth (3m, good) a fortnight ago but others in this line-up look much stronger.

20/1

5th

6

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:40 Cartmel

Shantou Moon

12st 0lb

J: Mr Gregor Walkingshaw

T: William Young Jnr

Made the frame in some small-field points this spring and battled on to take modest second in four-runner hunter chase at Perth (3m, good) a fortnight ago but others in this line-up look much stronger.

20/1

Form: 33-604

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Has shown glimpses of ability in light career and he stayed on well for fourth behind an easy winner in a first-time hood (retained) at Market Rasen (2m4f, soft) a fortnight ago; today's test of stamina could be ideal for this brother to 2m7f chase winner Faustinovick and Brian Hughes is booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Sadlers Bay

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

0-7 over hurdles and the same over fences but he's been a consistent sort for Tom Gretton, including a big run from out of the handicap in the Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, soft) last time; tongue tied on last two outings; needs each-way respect on this debut for new yard.

13/2

5th

2

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

19:15 Ffos Las

Sadlers Bay

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

0-7 over hurdles and the same over fences but he's been a consistent sort for Tom Gretton, including a big run from out of the handicap in the Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, soft) last time; tongue tied on last two outings; needs each-way respect on this debut for new yard.

13/2

3rd

11

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 102y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Sadlers Bay

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Tom Gretton

midfield, in touch with leaders when not fluent 12th

20/1

Form: P0-3P7

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 8yo who has displayed some ability and didn't run badly in mid-division at Ayr last month on her second handicap start, but others have more compelling claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Sandy Forster

towards rear

33/1

11th

12

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Sandy Forster

towards rear

33/1

6th

12

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:30 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Forster

in rear, not fluent 4th

14/1

Form: 011-7P CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at Perth last May then absent until pulled up at Hexham recently; a dramatic turnaround is needed just ten days on but he may have needed the run and he was progressive when winning two in a row early last year (including C&D on soft); a tongue-tie goes on and he's not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:02 Hexham

Don Brocco

10st 3lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Gary Rutherford

Winner at Carlisle in February (3m, soft) but pulled up either side of that; second in this race in last year; not easy to assess.

9/1

33/1

Form: 3390-8 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 2lb

14 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Three-time heavy-ground course winner who showed some spark here as recently as last February, but this 14yo has struggled on his last three starts and is without a win since 2018; hard to fancy from 9lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

26th Mar 2023

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Carlisle

Pistol

10st 2lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

Three-time heavy-ground course winner who showed some spark here as recently as last February, but this 14yo has struggled on his last three starts and is without a win since 2018; hard to fancy from 9lb out of the handicap.

33/1

8th

12

19th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:45 Carlisle

Pistol

10st 2lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

pushed along soon after start, prominent on outer, nudged along 3rd

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.20
Straight Forecast £45.89
Tricast £101.40
Trifecta £173.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Piaff Bubbles

RP Ratings:

Don Brocco

Telegraph:

Don Brocco

POSTDATA:

Piaff Bubbles

The Times:

Piaff Bubbles

D Express:

Piaff Bubbles

Daily Mirror:

Piaff Bubbles

The Sun:

Piaff Bubbles

The Star:

Piaff Bubbles

Daily Record:

Piaff Bubbles