August 23 / 16.30 Cartmel

16.30

Good

Molson Coors Cartmel Cup Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £10744.19
  • 2m 1f 46y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Molson Coors Cartmel Cup Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 99-518 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won four-runner Market Rasen handicap (2m, good) off reduced mark in June and was not disgraced in competitive Summer Hurdle over that C&D last month; ran quite well on only previous visit to Cartmel (in 2023); could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

27th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 2

17:45 Market Rasen

Castel Gandolfo

11st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won small-field C&D event in June and was not beaten far in Summer Hurdle (a race he won in 2024) here in July; needs to up his game after two lesser efforts elsewhere but the return to this track is sure to suit.

33/1

1

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Worcester

Castel Gandolfo

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Had a win and two placings from three starts here (2m) in his younger days; won four-runner Market Rasen handicap (2m, good) off reduced mark in June and was not disgraced in competitive Summer Hurdle over that C&D in July; form took a dip at Cartmel last time, though, and he's untried at this trip.

10/1

1

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

16:30 Cartmel

Castel Gandolfo

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won four-runner Market Rasen handicap (2m, good) off reduced mark in June and was not disgraced in competitive Summer Hurdle over that C&D last month; ran quite well on only previous visit to Cartmel (in 2023); could have a say.

12/1

Form: 6521-3

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Gained his autumn win in plating company but returned from layoff with good handicap third off today's mark at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last month and has possibilities if suited by this idiosyncratic track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

Forget The Way

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Has three wins in this sphere and made a solid return when runner-up at Warwick (2m, good) ten days ago following a six-month break; should be thereabouts.

5/2

2nd

3

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Warwick

Forget The Way

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

In decent form when last seen in November, winning a seller at Huntingdon and not beaten far in a better race there subsequently; this looks a competitive race for his return to action but he is not discounted.

6/1

2nd

5

2nd Nov 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

12:48 Huntingdon

Forget The Way

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: James Owen

Won this race in 2024 and has posted a couple of good efforts since returning from a layoff in the summer; major player if on song today but didn't really fire at Market Rasen last month and regular rider Alex Chadwick is on stablemate Mermaids Cave here.

7/4

Form: 9-3311 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 6yo who kept on strongly to collar the clear runner-up at Market Rasen (2m, good) last month and is now 2-4 over hurdles for new stable this season; 6lb higher for this first trip to Cartmel but might still be on the upgrade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:23 Newmarket (July)

Prince Quattro

10st 2lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Back to winning ways in 2m course handicap (good to firm) under Mason Paetel in June, with reopposing Dereham 5l back in third; good third of 12 in competitive Market Rasen handicap hurdle (extended 2m4f, good) since; likely to go well back on the Flat.

9/4

3rd

2

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

17:15 Market Rasen

Prince Quattro

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Four-time hurdle winner who was second in a Cheltenham handicap last October on final jumps run; 2lb lower now and he was a recent 2m winner at Newmarket; should go well.

11/2

1st

3

(3)

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newmarket (July)

Prince Quattro

9st 7lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Four-time hurdles winner whose first Flat success came on Southwell AW (1m6f) in January; has kept his form pretty well, including over 2m, and is considered seriously in this small field despite having had just two races (2025) on Flat turf.

3/1

Form: -41121 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Joined George Bewley after winning C&D selling handicap (2m1f, good to soft) for Iain Jardine in May and is 2-3 for new stable, the latter win gained under Thomasina Eyston is quite valuable C&D (good) handicap over last month; makes obvious appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

Winds Of Winter

10st 11lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: George Bewley

Not quite at his best this year but last month's Hexham third was respectable and she remains only 2lb higher than when beating Saligo Bay to win this race under Thomasina Eyston in 2025; can't be ruled out.

7/1

3rd

4

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

15:43 Hexham

Winds Of Winter

11st 1lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: George Bewley

Cartmel winner off 2lb lower last July (2m1f, good) who was a fair fifth in a mares' handicap over that C&D last time; not out of it.

12/1

Form: 44-531 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Just did enough to make all at Worcester (2m, good) last month, his first win since 2023; still very well handicapped on older form and has run well here before (albeit over fences) but it's hard to predict whether this inconsistent 9yo will be in the right mood again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Grey Skies

11st 11lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won twice in blinkers on good ground last summer (2m/2m1f) but was given a break after two disappointing runs in the autumn and made a low-key return without blinkers last month; has blinkers back on today but needs to get back in the groove.

20/1

7th

7

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

19:00 Hereford

Grey Skies

11st 3lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Two wins last summer (2m/2m1f, good), the latest off just a 1lb lower mark; form has dipped in his last two races, at Cheltenham and then Carlisle where he should have run better; absent since November.

12/1

15

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Grey Skies

10st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Perked up by blinkers this summer, winning twice, but faded into third after setting the pace in run-of-the-mill Worcester handicap (2m, good) last month and is patently not the force of old.

25/1

Form: 53-323 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Ought to have won on soft ground over C&D in July (jockey dropped hands in closing stages) and again ran well when third to Winds Of Winter in quite valuable female jockeys' race here (good) last month; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:38 Cartmel

Book Of Secrets

11st 12lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Only 7l away when fourth at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in March and remains on a good mark; without a win since 2023 but has possbilities; Leah Noreci is his regular partner.

6/1

Form: 7-3256 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly when sixth here (2m6f, good) last month and may benefit from today's drop back in trip but he's on the downgrade now and stable has more obvious chance with Winds Of Winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

Well Educated

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: George Bewley

Runner-up three consecutive times at Hexham (2m-2m4f, good) this spring and also suited by this track but his latest run was below par and he's 2lb wrong today.

14/1

4th

5

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

15:43 Hexham

Well Educated

10st 5lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

No win since May 2024, but has run plenty of good races since; runner-up here on all three starts this season (2m/2m4f), last time finishing 9l behind to Perseus Way, who is 9lb worse off.

9/2

Form: 657-12 CD BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Slightly fortunate to fend off Book Of Secrets over C&D (soft) in June, his fourth hurdle win, but was again ahead of that rival when staying on for creditable second behind Winds Of Winter on good ground here last month; back hurdling after perfectly respectable Flat run this month; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

29th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:53 Cartmel

Saligo Bay

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won five times over hurdles (once over C&D) and three times on the Flat last year; quite versatile regarding ground but has been safely held on both starts this summer (hurdle/Flat) and current mark probably demands a personal-best.

20/1

8th

3

(1)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

16:52 Chester

Saligo Bay

10st 0lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Progressive form under both codes last year included a 1m4f course win; quiet return to jumping at Cartmel two weeks ago but that was after a lengthy break and he's on better Flat mark than he is over hurdles.

4/1

8th

2

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

Saligo Bay

11st 12lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Sam England

Progressive on the Flat and over hurdles last year, collecting eight wins (one over C&D) in total; absent since respectable fifth in Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) in January, though, and current mark demands another personal best.

14/1

Form: 133-31 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Gained both hurdling wins over C&D, latterly when keeping on well in Class 5 event last month (soft ground); will be fine on the forecast faster ground today but has more on his plate in this higher grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

13

29th Aug 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:53 Cartmel

Lightening Company

10st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Ben Haslam

Dual C&D winner (good/soft); returned to form with two Flat wins in April, but was soundly beaten when back over hurdles here in June and contests a much stronger race today.

14/1

5th

3

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

16:58 Cartmel

Lightening Company

11st 13lb

J: Mr James Murray

T: Ben Haslam

Has been running on the Flat, winning 1m4f/1m2f handicaps before a respectable effort in a competitive race at York; capable hurdler with winning form here and James Murray takes off a useful 7lb.

6/1

8th

16

(2)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Lightening Company

8st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Form figures of 5075 at this meeting in the last four years; one win a season had previously appeared his quota but he's already exceeded that in 2026, having scored at Pontefract (1m4f/1m2f) on last two outings; that demands some respect but this race is a higher grade.

10/1

Non-runners

Young Merlin

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £101.80
Straight Forecast £111.44
Tricast £613.08
Trifecta £962.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Prince Quattro

The Guardian:

Lightening Company

RP RATINGS:

Well Educated

POSTDATA:

Saligo Bay

Daily Mail:

Book Of Secrets

TOPSPEED:

Young Merlin

The Times:

Prince Quattro

Telegraph:

Prince Quattro

D Express:

Prince Quattro

Daily Mirror:

Prince Quattro

The Star:

Prince Quattro

Daily Record:

Lightening Company