Cartmel - Monday 31st August 2026
VIETNORM was turned over at Uttoxeter under a penalty at the end of last month but it wasn't a bad effort in the circumstances and Adrian Keatley's charge has a solid opportunity to get back to winning ways. Wicksey got off the mark on his hurdling bow at Stratford in June and is expected to be in the mix once again, while Jambearee heads the remainder.
NOTTODAYBOBO went very close to making it a hat-trick of victories when stepped up to this grade at Market Rasen and the manner of that performance suggests he could easily win again, despite a 3lb rise for that narrow defeat. Enya is an interesting contender on her handicap bow after filling the runner-up spot on both starts over timber. Others to note include Handmedownastar and Fairlawn Skipper.
DIVILABOTHER has enjoyed a fruitful campaign over hurdles this summer with a trio of victories backed up with a fine second at Uttoxeter when producing a career-best effort. That performance sets the standard and the eight-year-old is likely to be a tough nut to crack. Al Sayah won on the level at Nottingham last month and commands plenty of respect, while a wind operation might help Kayf Dancer.
Having secured victories over both set of obstacles here in recent months, CAUGHTINYOURTRANCE is fancied to complete a hat-trick. The seven-year-old is only 4lb higher than his C&D triumph in June and the likelihood of underfoot conditions shouldn't pose any issues. Tamarind Bay has taken his form to a new level since switching to chasing in June, although he must put an unseat at Perth behind him, while also proving his stamina. Summer Plate third Breizh River is also of interest.
The introduction of blinkers saw King Roly regaining the winning thread at Worcester and he merits respect in his follow-up bid. However, a 5lb rise in the ratings demands a career best from Mickey Bowen's charge and preference is for five-time C&D winner SEAN OG. The eight-year-old has landed the spoils on two of his last three outings here and another bold bid looks assured. Karnaval Point may prove more competitive on this switch to chasing.
Getaway Jewel gained some compensation for some creditable efforts in defeat when scoring at Worcester and a 4lb rise from the assessor looks workable. However, deteriorating ground conditions may not see the veteran to best effect and preference is for FORCETORECKONWITH. The Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained mare shaped better than the bare fourth at Warwick in April suggests and she looked one to keep on side when scoring at Newcastle in March. Dual C&D winner Cuzco Du Mathan lurks on a dangerous mark and is also worth a second look.
This looks a match race between the previous hurdle winners Wicksey and VIETNORM. The former was successful numerous times on the Flat and was off the mark at the first time of asking in this discipline. Minor preference is for the latter though as he has shown he can be competitive carrying a penalty. That runner up effort has been franked and his useful Flat form suggests there is more to come. Watcha Snoop was a sprint winner on the Flat and can do best of the rest if his stamina holds up on his hurdling debut.
The pair of last time out winners at the top of the weights HANDMEDOWNASTAR and Fairlawn Skipper make most appeal here. The latter isn't fully exposed over staying trips and should have more to offer now he's had his head in front but preferences is for the former. He benefitted from a positive ride when a cosy winner last time and his point form suggests this longer trip will be of benefit. With Sean Bowen booked he can take advantage of a lenient opening mark. Of the others course specialist Secret Secret is feared most. He's been inconsistent recently but returned to form last time and is a C&D winner on easy ground.
SHALLOW RIVER was disappointing last time but he proved he retained his ability following a long lay off on his previous couple of starts. He is unexposed as a stayer and has now dropped below his last winning mark so is taken to defeat the hugely progressive Divilabother. That rival has been thriving since a move from Ireland and although his winning run ended last time he still ran a big race. That looks strong form a repeat would see him chase the selection home ahead of recent C&D winner Belles Benefit who sneaks in at the bottom of the weights.
A tight contest where none of the field can be ruled out. Narrow preference is for veteran TOMMIE BEAU who has returned to form here over hurdles and fences recently. He remains thrown in on his old efforts including at this venue and he will relish the step back up in trip. Tamarind Bay is a touch unlucky not to be unbeaten over fences after coming down when looking a huge threat last time in his hat trick bid. If none the worse for that spill he looks the obvious threat off the same mark while top weight Grand Clermont is also respected. He's been in excellent form for his new stable this summer and his French efforts suggest an easier surface will suit.
This could be dominated by those at the top of the weights. KARNAVAL POINT has proven progressive over fences for his new stable winning 2 of his last 3 starts. He's best forgiven his latest hurdles run where he went too fast and he still looks ahead of his mark in this discipline. The easier ground promises to bring further improvement judged on his French efforts and he can defeat the Mickey Bowen pair. Pour Les Filles has been inconsistent since a move from Ireland but he's well treated on his best efforts and had been running into form until his latest outing. He can fill the places with stablemate King Roly who was a last time out winner but will need a stiff test down in trip. Any further rain would hinder his chances greatly.
Consistent top weight GHASHAM looks the solid option here. His latest effort here has been franked in Ireland and his last run is worth marking up as he was given too much to do in a race dominated fro the front. The easier ground won't be an issue and it will certainly suit Cuzco Du Mathan who had been running back into form until his latest run. The ground was too quick that day but he is dangerously well treated on his best course form on testing ground. He can pose the biggest threat ahead of the largely consistent last time out winner Getaway Jewel who wouldn't want any further rain.
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