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

6th

6

(4)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:50 Kempton (AW)

Merrijig

9st 10lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Won first time out on Polytrack two years ago and made it 2-3 on the AW when closing out last season with a Newcastle victory off 4lb lower; perhaps a bit surprising to see no blinkers tonight but he's one to consider.

5/1

1st

4

(12)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:45 Newcastle (AW)

Merrijig

9st 13lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Record of 0-8 this term; however, drops back two grades and is far less exposed on AW than on turf, having raced only twice in this sphere (won the first attempt); interesting off current mark.

9/1

7

(11)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:52 Goodwood

Merrijig

10st 12lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: John Berry

Three wins last season (1m6f-2m1f) and he's now 5lb below his last winning mark; blinkers were enlisted for last two outings, when beaten only about 3l, so he has each-way claims.

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2019 when third at Catterick (1m4f, good to soft) in June on stable debut; yet to race on ground firmer than good and withdrawn when ground was unsuitable (good to firm) last week.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

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

10

(12)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

16:30 York

Marbuzet

9st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won at Chester (2m, good) last month and nearly caught The Crafty Mole (who was perhaps idling) at Ripon (2m, good) a fortnight ago; also effective over this C&D and he's in the mix.

12/1

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

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

4th

2

(6)

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ripon

Tarbat Ness

10st 0lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Out-and-out stayer who won twice at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) at the start of the year but the handicapper has been winning the argument since; it remains to be seen whether a return to turf makes any difference in that regard.

6/1

6th

13

(1)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:05 Lingfield (AW)

Tarbat Ness

9st 1lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Out-and-out stayer who won twice at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) at the start of the year, but he looks high enough in the weights now and makes a belated Polytrack debut.

20/1

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

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

2nd

6

11th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:05 Uttoxeter

My Chiquita

11st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: B F Brookhouse

Below best in two Flat runs this year but returned to hurdling with close second at Worcester (2m4f, good); might have won that day with greater fluency and only 2lb higher; wouldn't want the ground to slow up.

7/2

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

8th

12

(7)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Trojan Sun

8st 6lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Often ridden by Lauren Young; 4-12 at Musselburgh, including three 1m6f/2m wins on good ground last May-October; also scored at Nottingham in October, a runaway win over 2m2f on heavy going which sees him 2lb higher today; returned to form when third over 2m at Musselburgh three weeks ago but this C&D makes him look vulnerable.

14/1

3rd

7

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 4

18:15 Musselburgh

Trojan Sun

9st 1lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

4-11 at Musselburgh, including three 1m6f/2m wins on good ground last May-October; also scored at Nottingham in October, a runaway win over 2m2f on heavy going which sees him 3lb higher today; soundly beaten at 40-1 here on reappearance three weeks ago and, judged on last season, it may take him another run before he refinds his form.

14/1

9th

13

(7)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 3

15:05 Musselburgh

Trojan Sun

8st 4lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Jim Goldie

Musselburgh specialist (4-10 here) who had three wins at this track on good ground last May-October; also scored at Nottingham in October, a runaway win over 2m2f on heavy going which sees him 5lb higher today; needs to hit a new high and may need to front-run back at this trip.

33/1

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

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

3rd

6

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Giovanni Change

11st 4lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Mark Walford

Inconsistent in recent years and no longer the force of old but kept on well to score at Wetherby (3m, good) last month, and this six-time course winner is sure to be suited by the return to this track.

2/1

1st

2

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

14:50 Wetherby

Giovanni Change

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Veteran who was a close second in this contest last year but is by no means certain to go one better, having gained all six jumps wins at Market Rasen; inconsistent results since last success.

10/1

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