May 29 / 14.55 Cartmel

14.55

Good

Tony Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 3m 1f 83y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
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Tony Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 77732-

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Struggled on first few starts for Ben Haslam but has worked his way back to form this year; kept on well for clear second at Ayr (3m, good to soft) last month and is not yet fully exposed over this sort of trip; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 3

16:20 Hexham

Aramax

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

in touch with leaders

20/1

7th

1

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

17:05 Kelso

Aramax

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Formerly a very useful hurdler/chaser; not quite so good these days but won two 3m handicap hurdles on good ground last summer; bit below par since; on a good mark and today's going will suit but better over further these days.

12/1

5th

3

24th Aug 2024

Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:25 Cartmel

Aramax

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

prominent, went second after 8th, prominent 3 out, weakened approaching last

10/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 962-11

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Displayed significant jolt of improvement to win by 15l on handicap debut at Ludlow (first-time cheekpieces) this month and followed up with 13l win under penalty at Ffos Las (also 3m, good) a week ago; effectively another 13lb higher today but still commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Scrum Diddly

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Chasing when last seen in June of last year, winning a four-runner handicap at Southwell before a close third off this mark at Worcester (2m7f, good); dual winning hurdler who has his ground and fitness might not be an issue given connections.

9/2

8th

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:23 Market Rasen

Scrum Diddly

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Chasing when last seen in June of last year, winning a four-runner handicap at Southwell before a close third off this mark at Worcester (2m7f, good); dual winning hurdler who has his ground and fitness might not be an issue given connections.

9/2

3rd

7

13th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

18:50 Worcester

Scrum Diddly

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Came good over fences at fourth attempt, in two-finisher contest at Southwell (3m2f, good to soft) three weeks ago; the value of that form is quite tricky to assess but he seemed to have matters in control until idling in the home straight; only 2lb higher here and probably still has potential.

3/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: /P524- D

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Has never won anywhere other than Aintree but ended last season with two good runs, more recently when fourth behind Tiger Jet in series final at Haydock (3m, good to soft) last month; each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Worcester

My Bobby Dazzler

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Ended last season in good form, winning at Hereford (3m1f, soft) before good second at Haydock (3m1f, good), and ran quite a bit better than eventual 20l defeat suggests when fourth in Cartmel marathon (3m5f, good) last month; no surprise if he features here.

10/1

4th

5

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

My Bobby Dazzler

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Ended last season in good form, winning at Hereford (3m1f, soft) before good second at Haydock (3m1f, good); ran well (over hurdles) on only previous visit to Cartmel and has possibilities if this new trip suits; refused to line up and withdrawn at Aintree recently (8-1 at the time).

7/2

9

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

My Bobby Dazzler

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Mel Rowley

Went up 5lb for winning a Class 4 at Hereford (3m1f, soft) and raised another 1lb for his second in a better race at Haydock (3m1f, good), finishing just ahead of Jacks Parrot; this 11yo is thriving and entitled to play a part in the finish.

5/1

Form: 97219- D

Last run: 74 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Came good with comfortable success in Class 5 handicap at Carlisle (3m1f, good to soft) in February and may not have been suited by the heavy ground when well beaten the following month but contests this stronger race from 2lb out of the weights and others have more pressing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:30 Cartmel

Our Sam

10st 2lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Won twice here in 2023; respectable efforts this year but not as good as he was; 10lb out of the weights.

16/1

10th

14

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:22 Cartmel

Our Sam

10st 5lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Dual course winner in 2023; kept on for fourth over C&D (good to soft; also suited by soft/heavy) in May and subsequent Hexham second was also very respectable but he's no longer the force of old.

14/1

4

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 4

18:50 Hexham

Our Sam

11st 1lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

C&D winner in 2023; well below best form over the last year or so but at least took a step back in right direction when keeping-on fourth at Cartmel (2m6f, good to soft) ten days ago.

12/1

Form: 34712-

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won run-of-the-mill Ayr maiden (2m4f, good to soft) in February, his fourth start over hurdles, and bettered that performance when second in 3m handicap there (good to soft) last month; still unexposed as a stayer and lightly raced in general; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

13:43 Ayr

Langdale Lane

10st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: R Mike Smith

Won a C&D maiden (good to soft) in February 2023 but he's had only five runs since and has been well held in last three completed starts; unseated over fences here last month and has plenty to prove back in this sphere.

16/1

Form: 11234-

Last run: 189 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Did well in early part of last season, winning three times (2m5f-3m2f), but returns from six-month absence on career-high mark and will need to hit the ground running to have any chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Worcester

Mr Yeats

11st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Stuck on a lengthy losing run and was well behind Boskill Borden here 12 days ago; the first-time tongue-tie needs to make a difference.

16/1

7th

2

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Mr Yeats

11st 13lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Struggling before minor late gains at Market Rasen latest (2m5f, good) extended his losing run to 20; first drop into a 0-105 since July 2022 isn't sufficient on its own to persuade this is the day.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1163-1

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Progressive mare who was very creditable third in Listed novice at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month then held on well to collect Warwick handicap (2m5f, good to soft) 16 days ago; will be fine over today's longer trip and probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

17th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:32 Uttoxeter

I Spy A Diva

10st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Four-time hurdle winner; returned from 688-day absence with low-key run on soft ground in April and absent for another six months since; ought to be better suited by the quicker conditions here but her current ability is hard to gauge.

16/1

Form: 3761-6

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Posted career-best performance when coming from off the pace to win series final at Haydock (3m, good to soft) last month but wasn't in same form over same C&D a couple of weeks ago and will need to kick on again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

14th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Warwick

Tiger Jet

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

took keen hold, led, not fluent 3rd, hit 4 out, headed before 2 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened

6/4

3rd

1

14th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Warwick

Tiger Jet

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

took keen hold, led, not fluent 3rd, hit 4 out, headed before 2 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened

6/4

2nd

3

19th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

17:35 Haydock

Tiger Jet

11st 9lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Jennie Candlish

Won over C&D (good to soft) in April 2023 and returned to form to win on stable debut at Cartmel (2m6f, heavy) last August; however, two lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track after a break.

6/1

Form: 1224-2

Last run: 9 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Made excellent progress last spring/summer, winning three times (2m7f-3m1f), and posted another career-best performance when close second at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) nine days ago, after a break; latest 4lb rise demands even more from him, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

15:00 Uttoxeter

Hillview

10st 9lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Four-time hurdle winner but beaten about 14l in two handicaps after three months off, and he was pulled up in his race prior to those; very opposable; first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

7th

3

27th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

19:08 Cartmel

Hillview

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Had struggled after returning from a long absence but last time was a bit better and Sean Bowen now takes over; could be interesting, for all that he's not shone around here in the past.

14/1

Form: /F0P3-

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Didn't fire on his two hurdling starts for Henry de Bromhead in Ireland last season and was sold for £6,500 after finishing last in three-runner chase last month; others in this line-up have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

20th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

17:50 Kelso

Minella Escape

10st 9lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

in touch with leaders on outer, went second after 8th

33/1

0

4

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:25 Cartmel

Minella Escape

11st 12lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: James Moffatt

in rear, fell 1st

33/1

4

29th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

14:55 Cartmel

Minella Escape

11st 6lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

in rear

25/1

Form: /PF9F-

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Group 3 Flat winner for Godolphin in 2019 (1m7f) and scored in fairly good style on stable/hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in December 2021; not much has gone to plan since he returned from a long layoff in December but he tries a new trip today and is not written off just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

16:35 Newcastle

Moonlight Spirit

12st 0lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Smart on the Flat in his prime but lightly raced and generally very disappointing since winning hurdle debut in December 2021; had wind surgery during 228-day absence; swaps cheekpieces for refitted blinkers; current ability hard to gauge.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.90
Straight Forecast £23.64
Tricast £86.96
Trifecta £117.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Scrum Diddly

SPOTLIGHT:

Langdale Lane

WEST COUNTRY:

I Spy A Diva

The Times:

Tiger Jet

The Sun:

Hillview

Daily Mirror:

Aramax

TOPSPEED:

My Bobby Dazzler

The Star:

Moonlight Spirit

POSTDATA:

Scrum Diddly

LAMBOURN:

Scrum Diddly

Telegraph:

Scrum Diddly

Daily Mail:

Scrum Diddly

D Express:

Langdale Lane

Daily Record:

Langdale Lane

The Guardian:

I Spy A Diva