August 24 / 15.25 Cartmel

15.25

Soft

AF Connell Ltd Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10926.3
  • 3m 1f 83y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
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AF Connell Ltd Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 4-2111 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Back in good form this season and looked looked suited by step up in trip when completing hat-trick with clearcut C&D (soft) win last month, form that was given a good boost by the runner-up this week; just out of the weights in a much stronger race today but well worth his place in the line-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:55 Cartmel

City Derby

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won four on the bounce here last summer (2m6f-3m1f; soft/good) but has looked a little out of sorts this season, for all that he shaped a bit better last time after further wind surgery.

14/1

5th

11

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:22 Cartmel

City Derby

10st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Four-time course winner (2m6f-3m1f, good-soft); lurks on a good mark but looked out of sorts here on both appearances this season and needs recent wind op to have made a difference; tongue-tie refitted.

16/1

9

29th Jun 2025

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:40 Cartmel

City Derby

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Four-time course winner (2m6f-3m1f, good-soft), including this race a year ago; needs to rebound from a disappointing run here (3m1f) last month but is back on a workable mark and can't be ruled out.

12/1

11/4

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 23P-11 CD

Last run: 89 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Prolific chaser who collected a good prize over C&D (good) when reverted to hurdling three months ago; subsequent 5lb rise does not look excessive and he's very versatile regarding ground; commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

No longer the force of old and inconsistent nowadays but he capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) three weeks ago and he is also very well suited by this track.

15/8

1st

3

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Tommie Beau

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Gained three of his 14 wins here, including 2022 edition of this race, but has regressed and become inconsistent; didn't run badly in last month's Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces) but younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

14/1

6th

4

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Tommie Beau

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Seamus Mullins

He's won here three times and was second in this race in 2024 on his last Plumpton visit; on a reduced mark but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive on his last few starts and needs to turn things around in first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 25-263

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Seven-time hurdle winner for John Mackie and placed over 2m6f here on two of his three starts for James Moffatt this season, more recently when close third on good ground five weeks ago; has stamina to prove today, though, and may need the ground to dry out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

16:43 Cartmel

Hurricane Ali

11st 4lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Seven-time hurdle winner; only his third run over fences when second here a month ago but never went a yard here on Saturday and was pulled up in this new aids combination.

12/1

2

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 4

17:05 Cartmel

Hurricane Ali

11st 12lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

9yo whose losing sequence goes all the way back to September 2022 but he returned to form when second over C&D (soft) last month and is also fine on good ground; a tongue-tie is added; possible player.

9/2

5

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

15:45 Cartmel

Hurricane Ali

10st 8lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Seven-time hurdle winner who was useful on good ground in his prime; launched chasing career with two very respectable runs here (2m1f/2m5f) in May and was not disgraced in competitive 2m6f handicap hurdle here on Saturday (albeit finishing behind Sea The Clouds); could have a say.

7/1

Form: 126-50 CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner, more recently off 3lb lower in this race last year (soft ground); not at best over 2m6f here in June but his keeping-on fifth behind Tommie Beau over C&D two starts ago was a decent effort; no surprise if he defends his crown.
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: 498-P7 CD

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D in spring 2023 and followed up off mark 3lb higher than today's at Uttoxeter (2m7f, also good) two months later; not in same form this year but his run behind Tommie Beau here in May was a step back in the right direction and today's forecast slower ground should also suit.
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

Form: 3-1112 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Bang-in-form mare who completed a hat-trick when leading close home over C&D (good) in June and has since gone very close at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good to soft); upped significantly in grade today but handles any ground and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:30 Cartmel

Saint Bibiana

11st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

The four-timer came up short when a close second to Pounding Poet over 2m7f at Uttoxeter (good) but that was no backward step; a 2lb nudge does her no favours but this C&D winner is shortlisted.

100/30

3

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:37 Uttoxeter

Saint Bibiana

10st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Progressive mare who kept on resolutely to win similar race to this over C&D (good; first-time cheekpieces) last month and has now won three in a row; another 7lb higher today but still makes obvious appeal.

4/1

12

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Uttoxeter

Saint Bibiana

10st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Georgina Nicholls

Completed a hat-trick early last season and better than ever on her latest two starts for wins at Huntingdon (3m1f, good) and Warwick (3m2f, good); up 6lb into a much more competitive race and wears first-time cheekpieces after a fairly workmanlike display from the front last time.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: 214-21

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Progressive 7yo who posted another career-best performance when scoring at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) last month and is now 6-17 over hurdles; probably needs to find even more today but his winning form at Fakenham provides significant hope he'll handle this track well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Secret Trix

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual C&D winner; only win last season was a walkover in a chase; went back hurdling after that and took time to find his form, but sound placed efforts on last two starts, latest when third at Haydock in March (3m, good; first run after a wind op) when Super Survivor was well behind in eighth; chance.

11/4

3rd

8

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

Secret Trix

10st 8lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

6-26 over hurdles, including a win with first-time cheekpieces in this race in 2024 (soft) and he is 1lb lower today; ridden by 7lb claimer last four outings, with a big return to some form on latest (second at Market Rasen) and that has been followed by his second wind operation; cheekpieces (absent on last four starts) return; too well handicapped to be ignored.

12/1

Form: /2PF/U

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Left Fergal O'Brien after failing to complete consecutive chases during the winter and appeared to be struggling before unseated rider at tenth fence on recent stable debut; might be happier back over hurdles but has considerably more to prove than some of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

24th Aug 2024

Soft

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:25 Cartmel

Eyeofthescorpion

10st 7lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Andrew Hamilton

always behind, lost touch 8th, pulled up before 3 out

50/1

5

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

17:05 Perth

Eyeofthescorpion

10st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

didn't always jump with fluency, held up in rear, detached after 1st, bad mistake and unseated 10th

20/1

3

28th Jan 2023

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 4

15:50 Doncaster

Eyeofthescorpion

11st 12lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

held up in last, mistake 2nd

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.40
Straight Forecast £37.07
Tricast £258.90
Trifecta £242.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Secret Trix

SPOTLIGHT:

Tommie Beau

POSTDATA:

City Derby

Daily Mail:

Aramax

The Times:

Saint Bibiana

TOPSPEED:

Secret Trix

The Guardian:

Secret Trix

The Star:

Secret Trix

Telegraph:

Tommie Beau

The Sun:

Tommie Beau

D Express:

City Derby

Daily Record:

City Derby

Daily Mirror:

Aramax