May 25 / 16.35 Cartmel

16.35

Soft

Hadwins EBF Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7102.09
  • 2m 1f 46y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
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Hadwins EBF Mares’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 837-11 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Took big step forward when winning by 12l at Fontwell (2m3f, good) this month, her second start for James Owen, and followed up under penalty there (2m1f, good to soft) a few days later; moves up from Class 5 today but still needs to be taken seriously in current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Mermaids Cave

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Won by 10l last week at Huntingdon (2m3f, good) in a race she also won the previous season, when beating Masked Dance on similar terms to today's; clear claims.

9/4

1st

3

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Mermaids Cave

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

7-27 over hurdles, including a good-ground C&D win; not firing on all cylinders since last autumn but wasn't beaten far when fifth of seven in refitted cheekpieces at Fakenham (2m4f, good) last month and continues to slip down the weights.

4/1

5th

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Mermaids Cave

12st 1lb

J: Mr Cian Murphy

T: James Owen

7-23 over hurdles, including a good-ground C&D win; beaten favourite in plating company two starts and pulled up in a subsequent handicap, but has slipped to a very good mark and can't be ruled out.

11/2

11/4

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 22122/ D BF

Last run: 448 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Very useful and versatile novice in 2022-23 season, winning twice (2m) and finishing second in three Listed races and a Grade 2 (2m-3m); missed last season but has been given a good chance by the handicapper if still as good as she was.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

11th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 2

15:20 Chepstow

Shes A Saint

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced for her age and returned from layoff to win at Aintree festival (2m, good) in April; also ran well in two subsequent competitive handicaps and remains unexposed over this sort of trip but needs to kick on again to overcome current mark.

14/1

7th

3

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Shes A Saint

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Stays 3m so always needs a strong pace to chase at this trip, which was the case when winning so well in a big field at the Aintree Grand National meeting (good); never threatened at Plumpton latest but again ran well in keeping on for fifth (behind Our Champ); could well arrive late on the scene to play a part in the finish.

12/1

7th

3

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:35 Haydock

Shes A Saint

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Stays 3m so always needs a strong pace to chase at this trip, which was the case when winning so well in a big field at the Aintree Grand National meeting (good); never threatened at Plumpton latest but again ran well in keeping on for fifth (behind Our Champ); could well arrive late on the scene to play a part in the finish.

12/1

Form: 2254-0

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Kept on well for close fourth in competitive series final at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) last month and is also suited by this track but she probably doesn't have much margin for error off her current mark and Sedgefield a fortnight ago was disappointing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

17:00 Musselburgh

Spot On Soph

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Tailed off at Market Rasen in November and same story at Catterick last month on her sole run since; however, she may have needed that latest outing and runs off the same mark as for her win at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) in September; yard's horses are running well and she's not discounted.

7/1

7th

7

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 3

15:30 Catterick

Spot On Soph

10st 9lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Tailed off at Market Rasen in November last time, but she'd enjoyed a predominantly consistent spell previously and maybe a break will have helped; has won here twice over fences; not ruled out on her return.

10/1

10/1

Form: 5PU10- D

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Needs to bounce back from below-par run in a series final last month but her 5l win at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) two starts ago was a good performance, and she may yet have more improvement to come for this stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 3

15:30 Carlisle

Parvos

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

held up in rear, mistake and pecked on landing 1st, steady headway from 3 out, switched right when bit short of room approaching last, pressed leader and kept on run-in, no extra final strides

20/1

2nd

6

23rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

16:18 Hexham

Parvos

11st 3lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Came good for Sandy Thomson at third attempt, with comfortable win at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) in February, and put a lesser run behind her when close at fourth at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft) last month; this move back up in trip will suit; may yet have a bigger run in her.

7/1

Form: 3422-1 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Delivered on earlier promise when keeping on well to score at Stratford (2m, good) this month, her sixth start over hurdles; open to further progress but probably needs it in this competitive race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:10 Cartmel

Tour Ovalie

11st 7lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Resumed winning ways at Ludlow (2m) in December and in good form until finishing last of ten in 2m4f Sandown handicap four weeks ago; the sort who might bounce back though.

11/1

10th

16

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Tour Ovalie

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mrs C Williams

Gained all six hurdle wins at around 2m but ran quite well when fourth at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month; current mark is workable (even from 1lb out of the weights) and Sean Bowen takes over today; could have a say.

16/1

4th

5

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:55 Chepstow

Tour Ovalie

11st 6lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Campaigned mostly at about 2m; record is 6-21, the most recent win at Ludlow in December; placed twice since, including at Newbury when ahead of Rula Bula; gives the impression this return to further is worth exploring.

6/1

Form: 0330-U D

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Just 1-10 over hurdles but kept on for creditable third off this mark in valuable series final at Haydock (1m7f, soft) in March, and her defeat from out of the weights in last month's Scottish Champion can be excused; unlucky to come to grief in early stages at Aintree recently; remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:25 Salisbury

Salsada

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Seen far more often over hurdles in recent years and she's pretty useful, but pulled up in March on latest outing; stiff task in a three-runner race last September and that's her only Flat run since a creditable show over C&D (good to firm) in June 2022; down the weights but not solid.

9/1

1

15th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 3

14:25 Salisbury

Salsada

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Seen far more often over hurdles in recent years and she's pretty useful, but pulled up in March on latest outing; stiff task in a three-runner race last September and that's her only Flat run since a creditable show over C&D (good to firm) in June 2022; down the weights but not solid.

9/1

1

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

14:25 Kelso

Salsada

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

Won two handicaps in a row at Sedgefield (2m4f, good/good to soft) towards the end of last year before tough Grade 2 task at Doncaster; however, only fifth when back in a handicap at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) last month and needs a bigger performance this afternoon.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: /1121- D

Last run: 266 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Quickly developed into a useful novice in early part of last season, winning four times at around 2m on good/good to soft; makes handicap debut after 266-day absence but could still have a lot more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:50 Stratford

Carrigeen Kampala

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Headstrong front-runner who gained two of her five hurdling wins over C&D and is well suited by good ground; absent since her very respectable third in Listed grade at Wetherby (2m, good) in November but has won when fresh before and has a big role to play here if fully tuned up.

4/1

3rd

2

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Wetherby

Carrigeen Kampala

11st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Headstrong front-runner who won a handicap at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) in June and was a good second in a handicap at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) in September; however, she was only sixth of eight in a Listed race at Kempton (2m, good) a fortnight ago and looks vulnerable once more.

25/1

3rd

2

2nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Wetherby

Carrigeen Kampala

11st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Headstrong front-runner who won a handicap at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) in June and was a good second in a handicap at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) in September; however, she was only sixth of eight in a Listed race at Kempton (2m, good) a fortnight ago and looks vulnerable once more.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.50
Straight Forecast £14.57
Trifecta £79.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Mermaids Cave

WEST COUNTRY:

Carrigeen Kampala

SPOTLIGHT:

She's A Saint

Telegraph:

Tour Ovalie

D Express:

Parvos

TOPSPEED:

Spot On Soph

The Times:

Salsada

POSTDATA:

Mermaids Cave

Daily Mail:

Mermaids Cave

The Sun:

Mermaids Cave

Daily Record:

Mermaids Cave

Daily Mirror:

Carrigeen Kampala

The Star:

Carrigeen Kampala

The Guardian:

She's A Saint