May 25 / 14.48 Cartmel

14.48

Good

Johnny & Tony Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £3642.1
  • 2m 6f 31y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Johnny & Tony Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: P343-5 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Gave good account when third at Plumpton (2m4f, good) last month but wasn't in quite the same form at Fakenham three weeks ago and is now 0-14 over hurdles; 4lb out of the weights; not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

12

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:27 Cartmel

Path Of Stars

10st 9lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Off the mark at the 15th attempt over hurdles, over C&D (good) last month; 4lb higher but should give a good account in her follow-up bid.

6/1

1st

12

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Path Of Stars

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Gave good account when third at Plumpton (2m4f, good) last month but wasn't in quite the same form at Fakenham three weeks ago and is now 0-14 over hurdles; 4lb out of the weights; not the percentage call.

10/1

25/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 9P67P/

Last run: 490 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Unplaced all six hurdling starts for Jackie Stephen, the latest in early 2025; changed hands for £1,400 in January and has new tongue-tie fitted for this stable debut; 1lb wrong but worth a glance in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:25 Market Rasen

The Roc Hopper

10st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Left previous yard for £1,400 in January but new trainer added a tongue-tie at Cartmel (2m6f, good) and he stayed on well for a close second; up 2lb but thereabouts with a repeat.

6/1

2nd

11

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

The Roc Hopper

10st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Unplaced all six hurdling starts for Jackie Stephen, the latest in early 2025; changed hands for £1,400 in January and has new tongue-tie fitted for this stable debut; 1lb wrong but worth a glance in the market.

25/1

12

20th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 5

13:50 Ayr

The Roc Hopper

10st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Jackie Stephen

prominent on inner

50/1

33/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 45PP-P

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Ran fairly well in 3m1f hurdle in January but was pulled up in all three subsequent chases; swaps usual cheekpieces for first-time visor; can't be supported with much confidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:27 Cartmel

Poetry Man

11st 10lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Scored over fences in December 2024 but pulled up in that sphere in three consecutive races this year; resumed over hurdles last month with two solid efforts when third twice at this track, once over today's distance in a visor (retained); races prominently but needs his natural enthusiasm to be harnessed.

13/2

5th

8

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Poetry Man

11st 4lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

After three successive pull-ups over fences he got back on track when close up in a 2m6f handicap hurdle here on Monday when in a first-time visor; if turned out again he'd command a level of respect.

14/1

Form: 0/P/73

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in point in March and safely held in two 2m Hexham novice hurdles for new stable this month; ought to be suited by the move back up in trip for this handicap debut, though, and remains unexposed under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Mickthesoldier

10st 11lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Pulled up in point in March and safely held in two 2m Hexham novice hurdles for new stable this month; ought to be suited by the move back up in trip for this handicap debut, though, and remains unexposed under rules.

20/1

3rd

1

9th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

15:20 Hexham

Mickthesoldier

11st 2lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Point winner; well-beaten 50-1 shot over C&D on stable/hurdle debut last week; best watched for now.

25/1

7th

3

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

17:15 Hexham

Mickthesoldier

11st 4lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Won a point in April 2024 (soft/heavy) but recent runs in that sphere have been underwhelming; perhaps he'll be revived by a switch to Phil Kirby's stable but he's probably best watched unless strong in the market.

25/1

Form: 8666-2

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles but ran well in defeat at Warwick (3m1f, good) three weeks ago, albeit in what looked a modest race, and enters calculations here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Half Pint Daisy

10st 3lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

0-8 over hurdles but ran well in defeat at Warwick (3m1f, good) three weeks ago, albeit in what looked a modest race, and enters calculations here.

11/2

2nd

8

4th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 5

15:50 Warwick

Half Pint Daisy

10st 2lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Nothing to show for four runs in handicaps and she's 5lb out of the weights here; what could help is the step up in trip from 2m4f.

10/1

6th

11

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:03 Ffos Las

Half Pint Daisy

10st 5lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

4lb wrong today in her fourth handicap and she has very ropey claims; maybe a move away from soft ground will help.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4122-0 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Made all over 2m1f here (good) last July and came second here on next two outings (2m6f/3m1f); probably needed recent reappearance run and has a big role to play if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

16:58 Cartmel

Dusky Days

11st 4lb

J: Miss Ella Holland

T: James Moffatt

Not beaten all that far in 2m6f/3m1f handicaps on last two starts but he was a weakener late on; others appeal more.

16/1

7th

6

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Dusky Days

11st 8lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

After a break he's been tailed off behind Wee Alki and here on Monday faded into sixth over 2m6f; others preferred.

16/1

Form: 0334P-

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on soft ground at Ayr last month but this race is much less competitive and the quicker surface ought to suit him better; made the frame on his previous three outings and has each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Rickety Gate

11st 3lb

J: Mr Harvey James

T: Nicky Richards

Back below last winning mark (Carlisle, 2m4f) but pulled up at Ayr on penultimate start, and weakened into seventh at Cartmel (2m6f; beaten over 13l) 12 days ago; others more convincing at this stage.

10/1

7th

5

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Rickety Gate

11st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Pulled up on soft ground at Ayr last month but this race is much less competitive and the quicker surface ought to suit him better; made the frame on his previous three outings and has each-way claims at least.

8/1

10

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Rickety Gate

10st 2lb

J: Ella McGarry

T: Nicky Richards

Exposed five-time winner who ran perfectly well back from an absence at Carlisle but it's never ideal being 5lb out of the weights in this competitive a handicap.

16/1

Form: P8473-

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 12lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Arrested decline when third in first-time blinkers at Perth (3m, good) last month but this 12yo remains without a win since 2023 and it's hard to tell whether the new headgear will continue to have a positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

No Rematch

10st 12lb

J: Miss Imogen Mathias

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Arrested decline when third in first-time blinkers at Perth (3m, good) last month but this 12yo remains without a win since 2023 and it's hard to tell whether the new headgear will continue to have a positive effect.

11/1

3rd

8

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

No Rematch

10st 10lb

J: Miss Imogen Mathias

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Second of four on stable debut here last May (3m2f, good); hasn't run quite as well since but is now on a career-low mark; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

25/1

7th

11

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

No Rematch

10st 11lb

J: Miss Imogen Mathias

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Returned from layoff with quite encouraging C&D fourth (albeit well held in the end) on soft ground last month but is getting long in the tooth and today's faster ground is probably not in his favour; headgear refitted.

33/1

Form: 9/529-

Last run: 160 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Creditable second of 15 at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) just under a year ago but not seen again until a heavy defeat in December, and absent for 160 days since; considered only if lively in betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Suitably Surprised

11st 0lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Creditable second of 15 at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) just under a year ago but not seen again until a heavy defeat in December, and absent for 160 days since; considered only if lively in betting.

12/1

11

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:05 Hexham

Suitably Surprised

10st 12lb

J: Mr James King

T: Sam England

Came good with two wins in November (2m1f/1m7f); returned from break with two low-key runs this spring but remains unexposed over 2m4f and James King is an interesting jockey booking.

14/1

5th

6

13th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

19:10 Sedgefield

Suitably Surprised

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

towards rear throughout

9/1

Form: F8741-

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Clonakilty, Our Laura B

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £41.40
Straight Forecast £43.80
Tricast £391.81
Trifecta £472.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Belvedere Bhoy

Telegraph:

Half Pint Daisy

RP RATINGS:

Dusky Days

POSTDATA:

Path Of Stars

TOPSPEED:

Rickety Gate

The Times:

Belvedere Bhoy

The Guardian:

Belvedere Bhoy

The Sun:

Belvedere Bhoy

Daily Record:

Belvedere Bhoy

D Express:

Half Pint Daisy

Daily Mirror:

Half Pint Daisy

The Star:

Half Pint Daisy

Daily Mail:

Dusky Days