December 15 / 15.15 Carlisle

15.15

Soft

Happy Christmas From Carlisle Racecourse Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race (Cat 1 Elim) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2178.4
  • 2m 1f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Happy Christmas From Carlisle Racecourse Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race (Cat 1 Elim) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 9

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to three winners but tailed off at 22-1 on recent debut at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) and a transformation is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

10th Feb 2025

Good

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

14:00 Catterick

Border Queen

10st 11lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Philip Kirby

always behind, detached before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

33/1

7

10th Feb 2025

Good

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

14:00 Catterick

Border Queen

10st 11lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Philip Kirby

Has shown little in bumpers at Wetherby and Carlisle this winter; this switch to hurdling needs to spark major improvement.

33/1

Form: 9

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Always behind at 50-1 on last month's debut at Cheltenham (2m, good) but in a Listed bumper and she wasn't devoid of promise; her dam is from a useful family and she could play a leading role now dropped in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

16:10 Hereford

Crying Lightning

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Safely held in her first two bumpers but was only beaten about 10l when 100-1 for Market Rasen Listed race (good to soft) last month and should have a future over jumps; shortlisted.

11/2

6th

2

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 1

15:10 Market Rasen

Crying Lightning

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

led narrowly, headed but prominent after 5f

50/1

2

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 1

15:10 Market Rasen

Crying Lightning

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

17l ninth of 12 on debut in Listed mares' bumper at Cheltenham (2m, good) in November and well-beaten third at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last month; considerable improvement is needed.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
£20,000 3yo; first foal; dam useful 2m-2m5f hurdle/chase winner, out of bumper winner; Brian Hughes booked on debut and a market check is advised, but she may be one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

15th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Carlisle

Desirable Walk

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

held up in last

12/1

3

15th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Carlisle

Desirable Walk

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

£20,000 3yo; first foal; dam useful 2m-2m5f hurdle/chase winner, out of bumper winner; Brian Hughes booked on debut and a market check is advised, but she may be one for further down the line.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
7,500euros foal, 9,000euros 3yo; first foal; dam bumper and 2m/2m7f hurdle winner (RPR 126), half-sister to two useful winners; in-form trainer does well in bumpers and she's one to consider on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

15:00 Hexham

Gintime

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

The form of her small-field maiden win in December doesn't amount to much but she bettered her low-key handicap debut when creditable fifth of 15 in valuable series final at Kelso (2m, good to soft) last month; commands respect in this easier race.

4/1

5th

14

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:10 Kelso

Gintime

10st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Capitalised on the two market leaders exiting the race three out in four-runner maiden hurdle at Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; she's unexposed and in good hands but finished down the field on last month's handicap debut at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft); improvement needed.

40/1

9th

7

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Carlisle

Gintime

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Probably a lucky winner of a four-runner novice at Sedgefield last time (2m1f, good to soft) but is an unexposed sort who could go well on handicap debut.

12/1

Form: 7

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second of five on debut in Irish mares' maiden point (3m, soft) in May but soundly beaten when seventh of 11 in bumper here last month (good to soft; 40-1) and needs to find considerable improvement today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

26th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:30 Bangor-on-Dee

High As Hope

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

prominent, lost second and outpaced 3 out (usual 4 out), went second again home turn, no impression approaching last

14/1

6th

3

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

13:05 Warwick

High As Hope

11st 5lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Second in Irish point; only seventh in a couple of Carlisle bumpers, albeit did too much up front latest; needs improvement on bare figures.

25/1

6th

3

20th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

13:05 Warwick

High As Hope

11st 5lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Second in Irish point; only seventh in a couple of Carlisle bumpers, albeit did too much up front latest; needs improvement on bare figures.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
£20,000 4yo; fourth foal; half-sister to 3m hurdle winner Innisfree Lass (RPR 110); dam 3m hurdle winner (120), half-sister to three winners; pedigree suggests this newcomer will need a longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Lady Fortune

10st 2lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Unplaced all six hurdle runs, most recently when pulled up in soft-ground handicap on stable debut in January; combination of wind surgery, first-time hood and return to good ground could plausibly prompt a better performance here, though; worth a glance in the betting.

12/1

6

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

20:45 Market Rasen

Lady Fortune

10st 12lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Max Comley

Pulled up in race won by Casting Aspersions at Huntingdon (20.5f, good; 66-1) in April on handicap debut; hard to fancy.

50/1

11

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:54 Huntingdon

Lady Fortune

10st 11lb

J: Nick Slatter

T: Max Comley

Showed no significant promise when a 250-1 outsider for three maiden hurdles in February/March (2m-2m4f); makes handicap debut.

40/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third foal; dam unraced half-sister to classy pair Prince Of Scars and Folsom Blue, out of smart bumper and hurdle winner Spirit Leader; makes debut in a hood, which strikes a cautionary note, but she's travelled from Shropshire and her trainer is 2-5 at Carlisle; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:05 Stratford

Little Wren

10st 6lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Displayed significant improvement when fitted with cheekpieces for chasing debut at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) in January, making all to win by just over 7l; lacked fluency and was pulled up at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) the following month but has strong claims if back on song after 97-day break.

5/2

7

9th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

Little Wren

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Maiden hurdler who was a very different proposition on her chase debut at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) three weeks ago when she scored easily by just over 7l; a 7lb rise could have been worse and there's stamina in the pedigree.

11/10

1st

7

18th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

15:10 Fakenham

Little Wren

10st 4lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Unable to justify prominence in the betting when safely held in two handicap hurdles (2m4f/3m) towards end of last year but remains unexposed after only six starts and this switch to fences may prompt the improvement that has evidently been expected; sports first-time cheekpieces.

5/2

Form: 40-

Last run: 241 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to a 2m7f/3m hurdle winner and her future probably lies over further, but she kept on for a fair fourth of eight at Ayr (2m, good) in March on the first of her two starts and today's stiff track will be in her favour; reappears having had wind surgery and she's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

13:55 Perth

Madame Bluebelle

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, outpaced before 3 out

100/1

4th

6

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

13:55 Perth

Madame Bluebelle

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, outpaced before 3 out

100/1

4th

4

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

14:30 Ayr

Madame Bluebelle

11st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

prominent, weakened quickly after 3 out

25/1

Form: 4

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has a useful pedigree and she was backed into 3-1 when a promising fourth on last month's debut over C&D (good to soft); that form has a solid look to it and she's in good hands to progress; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:35 Carlisle

Oh Clare

11st 9lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Promising second on hurdle/seasonal debut here (2m1f, soft) in November and improved for the step up in trip to win at Lingfield (2m3f, good to soft) in December, despite her inexperience being evident; useful pedigree provides optimism she'll continue to progress; likely player under a 7lb penalty.

9/4

9th

9

15th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Carlisle

Oh Clare

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, prominent

9/4

9

15th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Carlisle

Oh Clare

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Has a useful pedigree and she was backed into 3-1 when a promising fourth on last month's debut over C&D (good to soft); that form has a solid look to it and she's in good hands to progress; strong claims.

9/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won by 8l on debut in Irish mares' maiden point (3m, good) in May and changed hands for £30,000 later that month; she may not have beaten much but she certainly brings potential to today's bumper debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

17:12 Ffos Las

Smile Back

11st 9lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard Phillips

Placed in three of her four handicaps but was beaten about 19l when weakening third at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) in February and is not making any progress; hood left off here; stablemate Hidden Target appeals more.

14/1

3rd

4

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Carlisle

Smile Back

11st 11lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Richard Phillips

Course bumper winner (soft) who was runner-up at Leicester (2m4f, soft) towards the end of last year in her first two handicaps; only sixth when upped in trip at Taunton (3m, good to soft) last month but she could better that latest run when back on soft ground, on which she's shown her best form.

7/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Oh Clare

RP RATINGS:

Crying Lightning

The Star:

Smile Back

D Express:

Desirable Walk

POSTDATA:

Oh Clare

WEST COUNTRY:

Oh Clare

The Times:

Oh Clare

The Sun:

Oh Clare

Daily Record:

Oh Clare

Telegraph:

Crying Lightning

Daily Mirror:

Crying Lightning