May 26 / 14.55 Cartmel

14.55

Good

Johnny & Tony Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3251.87
  • 2m 6f 31y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Johnny & Tony Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 56144-

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Finally opened his account at Musselburgh (3m) in February and he recorded a solid fourth of nine in 2m7f Kelso handicap last month; he's one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Three-time C&D winner, most recently in May; needs to bounce back from below-par run here three weeks ago but probably still on a workable mark; dangerous to ignore.

14/1

6th

11

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

15:02 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Yard also runs Rauzan but this one has three C&D wins from six visits here; latest win was last month and he went close under 7lb penalty over 3m1f here two days later; those were his only two runs since latest wind surgery; raised another 4lb today but he has to be on the shortlist.

5/1

2nd

7

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Evenwood Sonofagun

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won the 2m6f handicap on this card 12 months ago and returned to form with a 2l success over that same trip on Monday (following a wind operation); did that comfortably and must have every chance under a penalty.

9/4

10/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 5424-4

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Remains winless but he comes here in good nick, cheekpieces on when fourth of 11 in 2m7f Uttoxeter handicap 23 days ago; can make his presence felt again eased 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:25 Market Rasen

Star Vantage

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ran fairly well for fourth at Hexham (2m7f, good) but that made it 0-35; not hard to take on.

14/1

4th

9

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:43 Hexham

Star Vantage

10st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

Belied 40-1 odds when fourth from out of the weights in quite valuable series final at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) in March but was well beaten when tried in a visor in April (2m4f) and is now 0-31 over hurdles; sports refitted cheekpieces here; not the percentage call.

16/1

5th

8

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

17:00 Perth

Star Vantage

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Only a respectable fourth of five at Sedgefield a fortnight ago, extending his losing run to 33; has a first-time visor added to his regular tongue-tie now.

10/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 41209- CD

Last run: 113 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
A dual C&D scorer but he made mistakes when only ninth of 13 in 3m handicap at Musselburgh in February; it would come as no surprise if he got back on track here though after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:12 Cartmel

Secret Secret

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Three-time C&D winner, including last two editions of this race; would appeal sightly more on ground slower than good but his fourth here (3m1f, good) two starts ago was a good effort and his well-held fifth over C&D last month came in a much stronger race than this; high on the list.

7/2

5th

13

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

15:02 Cartmel

Secret Secret

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Three wins over 2m6f from ten races at Cartmel, all on softer than good; tends to pop up once a year and latest run was a return to near his best; considered despite being 5lb above his highest winning mark; yard runs three.

8/1

4th

4

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Secret Secret

11st 11lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Three course wins over 2m6f; below par in two races before finishing fifth behind Evenwood Sonofagun here on Monday; has to step up.

10/1

Form: 4854P-

Last run: 172 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdler/chaser went in snatches when pulled up in 2m7f handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in December; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:25 Perth

Lady Mendoza

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-14 over hurdles; returned from layoff with pretty good fourth at Cartmel (2m6f, good) in May but three lesser efforts have followed and she doesn't always look enthusiastic; headgear switched again today.

14/1

5th

7

23rd Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

15:20 Cartmel

Lady Mendoza

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-13 over hurdles; kept on for fourth here (2m6f, good) in May, after a layoff, but two lesser efforts have followed and she doesn't always look enthusiastic; needs to be perked up by change of headgear.

10/1

10th

3

16th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:10 Uttoxeter

Lady Mendoza

11st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Kept on for fourth at Cartmel (2m6f, good) in May, after a layoff, and may not have been suited by the soft ground when below form there last month but she's 0-12 over hurdles now and doesn't always look enthusiastic.

12/1

Form: 79053- C

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Veteran course winner scored three times (at up to 2m5f) last season and comes here on the back of a never-dangerous sixth in 11f Flat handicap at Hamilton 22 days ago; could be in the shake-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

13:30 Kelso

The Navigator

10st 10lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Dianne Sayer

11yo who was tailed off over C&D (good to soft) in November and pulled up at 100-1 at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month on his sole start since; however, the drying conditions are a positive, with his last five wins coming on good ground, and he won two in a row over C&D last autumn to take his winning tally at Kelso to four; no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.

50/1

5

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:00 Ayr

The Navigator

11st 8lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Dianne Sayer

11yo who won three times last August-October (2m1f/2m5f, good); however, tailed off at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November when last seen and there's a suspicion he may not want testing ground nowadays.

16/1

8

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

16:25 Kelso

The Navigator

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Dianne Sayer

Back to winning ways at Cartmel (2m1f) in August and followed it up with a good third of nine in 2m4f handicap at Sedgefield 13 days ago; this C&D scorer can't be discounted.

10/1

Form: 53420- D

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 2353-3

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Yet to score over hurdles and she was tongue tied when a below-par third in 2m4f novice at Sedgefield 13 days ago; she's the sort to bounce back though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Vanilla Dancer

11st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

1-21 over hurdles, her win coming at Catterick in February; creditable efforts on all three runs since, including when second over C&D last month (good); sound run at Perth last time (2m5f, good); chance.

6/1

4th

3

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Vanilla Dancer

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Chris Grant

1-20 over hurdles; neck second in a mares' handicap here last month (2m5f, good); each-way chance.

3/1

2nd

3

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Vanilla Dancer

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Just one win from her 19 hurdle starts but that came at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in February and she made a bad mistake when fourth at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) next time; she'll be fine now back up in trip and back on better ground, and could give a good account.

7/1

Form: 00512- D BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Arrives on the up for his current yard, scoring at Fontwell (2m5f) in March before an excellent second of nine in 2m5f handicap at Newton Abbot the following month; he was a fair 1m6f Flat winner so merits serious consideration despite a 3lb weights rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

14th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:10 Uttoxeter

Military Tycoon

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Came good at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in March and probably bettered that performance when close second at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) in April; reportedly not suited by the sharp track at Cartmel when very disappointing favourite last month but might bounce back in new headgear here and is evidently versatile ground-wise.

6/1

8th

11

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Military Tycoon

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Arrives on the up for his current yard, scoring at Fontwell (2m5f) in March before an excellent second of nine in 2m5f handicap at Newton Abbot the following month; he was a fair 1m6f Flat winner so merits serious consideration despite a 3lb weights rise.

7/2

8th

11

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Military Tycoon

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Arrives on the up for his current yard, scoring at Fontwell (2m5f) in March before an excellent second of nine in 2m5f handicap at Newton Abbot the following month; he was a fair 1m6f Flat winner so merits serious consideration despite a 3lb weights rise.

7/2

Form: /9684-

Last run: 171 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Fair ex-Irish maiden hurdler posted his best effort for his current yard when fourth of eight in 2m4f novice at Sedgefield in December; hood goes back on and possibilities returned to handicaps after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

1st Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:04 Ayr

Balally Park

10st 8lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-16 but this 6yo has finished second on two of his last three hurdle starts, most recently at Kelso in September; mid-race unseat on chase debut since; each-way chance back hurdling.

9/1

Form: 01P30- CD

Last run: 210 days

W: 11st 5lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Took this 12 months ago but this veteran has been off the track since finishing 12th in 2m4f Ayr handicap seven months ago; he has gone well fresh though so still needs considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Pateen

11st 5lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jessica Bedi

Took this 12 months ago but this veteran has been off the track since finishing 12th in 2m4f Ayr handicap seven months ago; he has gone well fresh though so still needs considering.

25/1

9

26th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:55 Cartmel

Pateen

11st 5lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jessica Bedi

Took this 12 months ago but this veteran has been off the track since finishing 12th in 2m4f Ayr handicap seven months ago; he has gone well fresh though so still needs considering.

25/1

12th

4

28th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 110y

Class 5

14:20 Ayr

Pateen

11st 7lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Jessica Bedi

in rear, mistake 1st

11/1

Non-runners

Supreme Yeats, Ascension Day, Sky Luna, Topkapi Star

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £60.00
Straight Forecast £56.39
Tricast £407.89
Trifecta £351.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Military Tycoon

TOPSPEED:

Evenwood Sonofagun

The Sun:

Vanilla Dancer

D Express:

Balally Park

RP RATINGS:

Lady Mendoza

POSTDATA:

Star Vantage

Telegraph:

Supreme Yeats

Daily Mirror:

Secret Secret

The Guardian:

Military Tycoon

Daily Mail:

Military Tycoon

The Star:

Military Tycoon

Daily Record:

Military Tycoon

The Times:

Evenwood Sonofagun