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

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

4th

5

(5)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

14:37 Southwell (AW)

Prince Quattro

9st 3lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Registered a first Flat win when scoring over C&D in January and it was a creditable effort when chasing home St Faz at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) six days ago; work to do if he's to turn the tables but still one of the more likely ones.

6/1

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

2nd

8

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

15:40 Hexham

Well Educated

10st 2lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

A head away from securing a fifth course win here last Saturday (2m); can number two C&D successes among that haul and respected again, for all that his record in the past three editions of this race reads 655.

9/1

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

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

5th

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 2

13:43 Musselburgh

Saligo Bay

10st 7lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Won three in a row (1m7f/2m, good-soft) prior to heavy defeat at Windsor a fortnight ago; however, the ground was soft, heavy in places last time which may have been too demanding, and he's not written off today.

16/1

11th

12

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Saligo Bay

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sam England

Won on the Flat in September and also successful on four of his five hurdle starts since, including on soft ground and in good style at Haydock (1m7f, good to soft) last time; he's 7lb higher than last time and in a hotter race today, but he's clearly thriving and could go well once more.

11/1

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

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

1st

2

(2)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:33 Pontefract

Lightening Company

9st 8lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Ben Haslam

Four-time Flat winner, including C&D, who has been all or nothing since scoring over hurdles at Cartmel in July; three AW no-shows followed good second over C&D (soft; 40-1) in October but market support predicted a going day when scoring here (1m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; might not want the ground to get too quick but otherwise a key player under 2lb nudge.

5/4

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