October 16 / 13.57 Carlisle

13.57

Good

David Allen ‘Chasing Excellence’ Beginners’ Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £9717.04
  • 1m 7f 207y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
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David Allen ‘Chasing Excellence’ Beginners’ Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50

Form: 20668- D

Last run: 173 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Ran well for Nigel Twiston-Davies when sixth in handicap hurdles at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last spring (2m4f/3m, good to soft/good); sold for £105,000 in May; drops back in trip for his chase and stable debut but his surplus stamina may be no bad thing at this track and his dam was useful over fences; could have a big part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Push The Button

11st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Mark Walford

Made a good start over fences for new connections, winning at Carlisle (2m, good) in October and second in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (2m3f, soft); mistakes crept in when below that level twice since and he now reverts to hurdling; sixth of 17 in this last year off an identical mark.

25/1

3rd

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

17:10 Kelso

Push The Button

11st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a good start over fences for new connections, winning at Carlisle (2m, good) in October and finishing second in a Grade 2 novice at Ascot (2m3f, soft); let down by his jumping in competitive handicap at Cheltenham last time but he's in shallower waters here and should be thereabouts.

6/4

7th

1

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:05 Cheltenham

Push The Button

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Record of 122 switched to fences this term for new yard and the form has received a few boosts; ran well on the figures, albeit no match for winner, in Grade 2 at Ascot (2m3f, soft) most recently; brings solid claims back to handicap level.

4/1

Form: 32216- D BF

Last run: 187 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed solid campaign over hurdles last term before fading over 3m when last seen; others in this field have better hurdle form and today's trip may be shorter than ideal, but the stiff track will help and she receives a 7lb mares' allowance; in good hands to progress over fences; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:10 Perth

Ruby Island

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

9yo who has been progressive during this first chasing campaign, winning twice (2m/2m4f, soft/good to soft); she's open to further improvement but it's necessary now back up in grade, and she needs to prove her stamina; soundly beaten over hurdles on sole previous run in these cheekpieces.

16/1

1st

2

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:45 Haydock

Ruby Island

11st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Has taken well to fences this term, a ready win at Ayr (about 2m, soft) in November preceding solid fourth of 15 in competitive 2m4f Cheltenham handicap (good to soft) the following month; creditable third in mares' Listed company last time and every chase she can notch a second win over fences, particularly if putting her jumping to good use.

10/11

Form: 0/4P5- D

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Mixed form over hurdles in light campaign last season but ran well when fourth of seven in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth on his reappearance (2m, good); goes well fresh and this point winner could improve for today's switch to fences; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

15:20 Cartmel

Tellherthename

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Both wins came at Huntingdon when trained by Ben Pauling; made his stable debut in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, when not beaten far, and he wasn't disgraced when hooded and held up out the back in the Swinton at Haydock (favourite) two weeks ago; this will feel like a drop in the ocean in comparison and, although turned over at a short price last October in his only chase, he should make light work of these two rivals on his return to fences.

1/3

8th

6

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Tellherthename

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced for his age; caught the eye in no uncertain terms when twelfth of 23 in the County at Cheltenham on first start for current yard, travelling smoothly but short of room in straight and finishing full of running; very best efforts for previous stables came on good ground and he missed the Scottish Champion when the rain came; still unexposed and a fascinating contender in a first-time hood.

3/1

Form: 111254 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Three consecutive wins over hurdles in May/June (2m-2m7f, good/good to soft) and he was running okay in that sphere last month; however, he has something to find in today's company and he didn't improve for the switch to fences when soundly beaten in January on his sole previous chase start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

16th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:57 Carlisle

Matchless

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Three consecutive wins over hurdles in May/June (2m-2m7f, good/good to soft) and he was running okay in that sphere last month; however, he has something to find in today's company and he didn't improve for the switch to fences when soundly beaten in January on his sole previous chase start.

12/1

4th

1

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Worcester

Matchless

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Came up rather short in higher grade last time; solid record (1112) in Class 4 otherwise this term, albeit has shot up the weights as a result; may be in the assessor's grip now.

13/2

3

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

16:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Matchless

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

It took a return to selling level to regain the winning thread in May but has since gone 112 in 2m4f/2m7f handicaps; getting high in the weights (nudged up another 1lb) but he's pretty solid.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.60
Straight Forecast £20.87
Trifecta £32.80

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