November 03 / 15.23 Carlisle

15.23

Good To Soft

Graham, Pam & Jo Birthday Celebration Cumberland Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 3m 2f 34y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Graham, Pam & Jo Birthday Celebration Cumberland Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 11133- D BF

Last run: 202 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won three on the bounce (2m6f-3m1f; soft or heavy) last season and showed he can cope with this higher mark with a close third at Kelso last time out; gives the impression that he'll stay all day; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Val Dancer

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Last season was one to remember, winning the Welsh National and later second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; 0-4 this campaign but it's been anything but a washout and he should be dangerous off this mark, for all that he's made his name over further.

4/1

4th

4

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Val Dancer

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Won last season's Welsh National (extended 3m6f, soft) off 3lb lower and second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; near that form on second start this term, before a lesser show (weak in the market) in the Surrey National at Lingfield; needs to be back at his peak and there are mixed messages.

8/1

4th

4

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Val Dancer

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Bettered underwhelming seasonal debut when placed over the big Aintree fences (3m2f, soft) last month and remains only 4lb higher than when winning last season's Welsh National (3m6f, soft); high on the list.

6/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 2127-2 BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo who brings potential to this second chasing season and it was a good start when keeping Wasdell Dundalk honest over the extended 3m here recently (good to soft); closely matched with that rival and he wasn't giving in at the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Snipe

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 2-4 since switched to hunter chases in January and he ran well to finish six of 24 in the Foxhunters' at Aintree (2m5f) last month; on career-high mark back in a handicap but he hasn't been far off his best this year and he has won over 3m1f in the past; respected.

7/2

6th

19

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Snipe

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Won on his first hunter chase start at Hereford (2m5f, soft) in January and bounced back from a heavy defeat behind Golden Son at Taunton (2m7f, heavy) to win at Leicester (2m, good to soft) last month; however, he needs a clear career best if he's to win this.

25/1

1st

3

6th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

17:03 Leicester

Snipe

12st 2lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Made a bright start to hunter chases when beating Stattler (subsequent winner) at Hereford (2m5f, soft) in January and, although well beaten at Taunton (2m7f) when trying to match strides with Golden Son last month, he likely continues in form; leading contender dropped back to 2m for the first time, with fewer questions to answer than most.

11/10

OUR TIP

Form: P23P8- C

Last run: 197 days

W: 12st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Last season presents a mixed tale as he was mostly well held (beaten 34l when second in the Welsh National) but did run a cracker to be a 7.5l third in valuable 3m4f handicap at Haydock in February and it wasn't a bad final effort in the Scottish National; should welcome this drop in class but lacking a run might not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

17:00 Haydock

Iron Bridge

10st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

A strong stayer but with a strike-rate of only 2-17 over fences and excuses are wearing thin; on the plus side, they were solid enough efforts on last two starts (3m4f/3m6f) and he nearly won off this mark on his reappearance (3m2f).

9/2

3rd

1

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Iron Bridge

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Struggled on heavy ground two starts ago (first-time cheekpieces) but quickly got back on track with battling second at Haydock (3m4f, good to soft) this month; remains on a workable mark and good ground also suits; ought to make his presence felt again.

7/2

2nd

1

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

14:45 Haydock

Iron Bridge

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Last win came here back in 2022 and he's not proving easy to catch right nowadays either, tried in cheekpieces when pulled up in 3m2f handicap chase at Wincanton in January; others are preferred.

7/2

Form: P-5531 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Emerged from the doldrums to finish third behind Wasdell Dundalk at Perth and duly built on that with a 5.5l defeat of Brandy McQueen at Kelso (3m2f, good); has shown he can cope with this 6lb higher mark in the past; less to prove than many.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:00 Carlisle

Universal Folly

11st 13lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

in touch with leaders, headway and prominent 13th, pressed winner before last, stayed on

33/1

6th

2

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Universal Folly

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

midfield, outpaced before 5 out, no impression after 4 out

20/1

6th

2

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Universal Folly

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

midfield, outpaced before 5 out, no impression after 4 out

20/1

Form: /P84P-

Last run: 197 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Should be well handicapped but was pulled up in this on last season's return and that was a sign of things to come; always a chance that wind surgery may have benefited.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

15:52 Perth

Flower Of Scotland

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Rated much higher back in the day but she was out of form last season and no sign of turning things around this campaign.

25/1

11

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

15:52 Perth

Flower Of Scotland

10st 3lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

in rear

25/1

7

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:00 Carlisle

Flower Of Scotland

10st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

never going well, always behind, pulled up after 9th

7/1

Form: 12123- C

Last run: 210 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner last season, doubling his tally in a 3m heavy-ground handicap here in February; continued to run well afterwards (back at 2m4f the final time) and could have a part to play if ready for business.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

Jet Legs

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Has won three times over fences, the latest over 2m4f here in March last year (good to soft; visored first time); hasn't done quite as well since; stays 3m and on a good mark now.

8/1

4th

4

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Jet Legs

11st 7lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Won off today's mark at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft; first-time visor) towards end of last season but is yet to build upon his pleasing reappearance run in October and needs to up his game.

16/1

6th

4

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 4

16:20 Musselburgh

Jet Legs

11st 7lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Not totally solid on form this season, having failed to back up reappearance effort; however, has slipped back to last winning mark and may prove resurgent.

7/1

Form: 6/22-2 C

Last run: 183 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Stamina very much his strong suit and last seen giving it a right go in a 3m7f handicap at Punchestown (soft) where he was only reeled in at the death; has earned himself this career-high mark and if revved up he'll go well; fine on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

16th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Carlisle

Your Own Story

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

9yo who has won just one of his 17 chases but he's finished second in nine of them, including at Kelso (3m2f, good to soft) in March; also effective on good ground and he won here over hurdles; not ruled out on return.

4/1

10th

14

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Your Own Story

10st 8lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent, pressed leaders briefly 5th

10/1

10th

14

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Your Own Story

10st 8lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent, pressed leaders briefly 5th

10/1

Form: 736141 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Can be hit and miss but was on his game when fending off Snipe over shorter here 17 days ago (4lb lower) and he was runner-up to Houston Texas in this last year; thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

14th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:43 Perth

Wasdell Dundalk

11st 8lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lisa Harrison

No win over hurdles since July 2021, and was a remote last of eight in this last year; solid record over fences here - four wins at 3m - which does at least offer some hope, even if he has struggled for form (P84) in his last three starts; might need this off a 232-day absence.

33/1

4th

5

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:15 Perth

Wasdell Dundalk

10st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Lisa Harrison

Four-time C&D winner (good-heavy), including this race in 2023; has questions to answer after disappointing on last two appearances but was second on consecutive C&D starts in June/July and can't be ruled out.

10/1

8th

1

8th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:40 Perth

Wasdell Dundalk

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Lisa Harrison

Very disappointing last time at Uttoxeter but was runner-up over C&D in his two previous starts and he's bidding for a hat-trick in this race; nothing wrong with his mark if back on song.

11/4

Form: 7-6682 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
2lb out of the weights but well handicapped anyway and returned to form when chasing home Universal Folly at Kelso four weeks ago (3m2f, good); can see him running well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

6th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:02 Kelso

Brandy McQueen

12st 6lb

J: Miss Lucy Brown

T: Miss Lucy Brown

Won a similar event at Catterick in good style in March (3m1f, good) but pulled up at Hexham last time; needs to bounce back.

6/1

1

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Brandy McQueen

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Brown

T: Miss Lucy Brown

Quite useful in his prime and he won a point in February (3m, good to soft) before easily following up in a hunter chase at Catterick last month (3m1f, good; Lunar Contact second); strong claims.

5/2

1st

6

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

16:10 Catterick

Brandy McQueen

11st 12lb

J: Miss Lucy Brown

T: Miss Lucy Brown

One-time quite useful staying hurdler/chaser who won a point on second start for present connections last month (3m, good to soft); this tougher, but a contender.

13/2

Non-runners

Houston Texas

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.90
Straight Forecast £25.51
Tricast £105.83
Trifecta £143.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Snipe

TOPSPEED:

Val Dancer

WEST COUNTRY:

Iron Bridge

THE NORTH:

Houston Texas

The Sun:

Jet Legs

The Times:

Your Own Story

RP RATINGS:

Snipe

POSTDATA:

Snipe

Telegraph:

Snipe

Daily Record:

Snipe

Daily Mirror:

Val Dancer

D Express:

Iron Bridge

The Star:

Houston Texas