May 26 / 16.40 Cartmel

16.40

Good

Caroline’s Big Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7440.29
  • 2m 1f 61y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Caroline’s Big Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.60
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 424P7- D

Last run: 163 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won twice on good ground in the summer of 2023; creditable second at Stratford in September (2m1f, good) but not quite as good since, including with cheekpieces (retained) last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

5th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 3

17:45 Stratford

Sir Tivo

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Front-running veteran; well suited by good or faster ground and he battled on well to score over C&D in July for a 12th chase win; bled from the nose when pulled up over further back here a fortnight ago but this return to shorter is a positive.

10/1

6

20th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

18:36 Stratford

Sir Tivo

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Front-running veteran who is well suited by good or faster ground and battled well to score over 2m1f here last month, his 12th chase win; not sure to be ideally suited by today's longer trip but no surprise if he makes another bold bid.

5/1

1st

5

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:58 Stratford

Sir Tivo

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Veteran with 11 chase wins on his CV, including 2023 edition of this race; returns here after respectable third behind two progressive rivals at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last month but Centara is unlikely to allow him to play his preferred front-running role.

10/1

11/4

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 67561- C

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Has won six chases, including over 2m5f here in July 2023 (good to soft) and over 2m4f at Newcastle (good to soft) on latest run in February; off since; quite interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

25th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

17:11 Cartmel

Arthurs Quay

10st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Getting long in the tooth now and was well beaten on latest outing in March but has a C&D win on his CV and is well handicapped on form as recent as the autumn; cannot be ruled out.

13/2

6th

3

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

Arthurs Quay

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

12yo whose form has been up and down since he won at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last February but he's dropped down the weights and performed respectably at Ayr (2m, heavy) in December when last seen; he could benefit from today's step back up in trip and he's in with a chance.

15/2

1

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Arthurs Quay

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Veteran; winner over C&D in February off this mark (good to soft) but hasn't been in quite the same form since; withdrawn on account of fast ground last time; further rain will suit.

5/1

Form: 75224- C

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won seven times for Phil Kirby two seasons ago, including over fences at Kelso (2m7f, soft) and a C&D novice hurdle (good); some fair runs for his new yard last season but all over longer trips and this drop to 2m1f not sure to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Special Rate

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Hugh Burns

Yet to add to his four chase wins for Philip Kirby during 2023-24 season but has made the frame on all four starts for current stable since December, most recently when third of five at Newcastle (2m4f, good) nine days ago; tried in cheekpieces today; probably won't be far away.

11/2

3rd

5

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:42 Newcastle

Special Rate

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Hugh Burns

With Phil Kirby when left alone in a match at Kelso (3m, soft) in February 2024, that being his fourth (and most recent) win over fences; runner-up in this last year (beaten 11l) for Lizzie Quinlan; in the frame three times (Musselburgh) for Hugh Burns; competes from an easing mark, needing more.

4/1

4th

1

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 4

16:20 Musselburgh

Special Rate

12st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Hugh Burns

On a two-year losing spell but looks reasonably solid, having posted two respectable efforts over C&D this winter for new yard; remains well treated on peak form.

4/1

Form: /6121- CD

Last run: 273 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
In good form when last seen out, winning two of his last three races, both novice handicap chases over C&D on soft/heavy; usually comes on for his first run of the year, but would have a chance if fully wound up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

31st Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:30 Cartmel

Cuzco Du Mathan

11st 4lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Dual C&D winner in summer 2024 (soft/heavy); generally disappointing since and was safely held in good-ground C&D chases on both outings this year but, with significant rain forecast, he's dangerous to ignore off career-low mark.

6/1

8th

1

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

16:57 Cartmel

Cuzco Du Mathan

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Both wins over fences came over C&D in 2024; well handicapped on his old form but he's generally struggled in the last 12 months and was last of seven over C&D (good) when last seen in May; plenty to prove and all of his wins have been on soft or heavy ground.

6/1

Form: 12726- CD BF

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won twice last season, the second time over 2m4f at Newcastle in November; C&D winner on soft in August 2023; below-par last time but one with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

18:05 Sedgefield

Glory And Honour

12st 0lb

J: Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

Hexham winner in June (2m, good); hasn't run quite as well since, though far from disgraced in a stronger race at Market Rasen last time (2m4f, good); a possible.

10/1

7th

1

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

17:15 Market Rasen

Glory And Honour

12st 1lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Hard-fought win back over hurdles at Hexham (2m) before a 10l defeat returned to fences; no great significance in the return of cheekpieces (blinkered last two races) but entitled to have some say.

14/1

4th

4

21st Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 3

15:13 Hexham

Glory And Honour

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won this race off today's mark a year ago (good; first-time blinkers) and reverts to chasing after hard-fought hurdle win here (2m, good; refitted blinkers) a fortnight ago; obvious contender.

7/1

Form: 53852- D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Ex-Gordon Elliott; both chase wins have been at this sort of trip and is well handicapped on his best form; yet to win for present yard, but creditable second at Carlisle last time; has a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Grey Diamond

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Dual winner over fences but last success was three years ago; his mark continues to fall but he doesn't look ready to take advantage.

12/1

8th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Grey Diamond

10st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner whose mark continues to fall and he was an encouraging third at Bangor in November following a break; however, this inconsistent 12yo is winless since March 2023 and others arrive with more pressing claims.

25/1

Non-runners

Disco Annie

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.80
Straight Forecast £29.77
Trifecta £73.40

Selections

Telegraph:

Arthur's Quay

The Times:

Cuzco Du Mathan

RP RATINGS:

Grey Diamond

Daily Mail:

Special Rate

SPOTLIGHT:

Glory And Honour

TOPSPEED:

Sir Tivo

D Express:

Cuzco Du Mathan

The Star:

Cuzco Du Mathan

The Guardian:

Arthur's Quay

Daily Mirror:

Arthur's Quay

The Sun:

Arthur's Quay

POSTDATA:

Grey Diamond

Daily Record:

Grey Diamond