17:15 Cartmel

Wednesday 30 May 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:15

John Smiths Extra Smooth Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 4m 18.2s

Tonto's Spirit^h⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Robert Hogg⁽⁸⁾| T: Kenneth Slack| OR: 121| BF| CDWS

11/8

Undergone wind surgery since finishing a 17L runner up at Carlisle in March (2m3f+ good to soft), so plausible that could lead to an improved showing. Best with some cut, but did win a novice hurdle over C&D (good) in May 2016; 33/1.

Form: 0/73342-

Lough Kent⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlotte Jones⁽¹⁰⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 119| CD

14/1

Won twice here last year over hurdles (including in this race); finding plenty for pressure from hopeless positions. Posted a very tame effort latest, but did surprise in a jumpers' bumper previously. Trainer saddles five runners.

Form: 124510-

Dodgybingo^b⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Dowson| T: James Moffatt| OR: 118| D

12/1

Picked up for £12,000 in September 2017 having won twice previously over hurdles in Ireland for Noel Meade (2m-2m1f). His prominent racing tactics should be suited by this track, but his trainer also saddles four other runners.

Form: 0/16760-

Think Ahead^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Callum Bewley| T: James Moffatt| OR: 115| CD

9/2

Won a maiden hurdle by 9L over C&D (soft) in July 2017, with stablemate and today's rival Golden Town (11/10f) finishing 28L third. Rarely seen since, but shaped well when fourth in a competitive Perth handicap latest (2m soft).

Form: P/124-

Good Tradition¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Stock| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 112

7/2

Southwell jumpers' bumper winner in March (6/5f) who looks to be handily enough treated over hurdles. Last in action on the Flat in the Chester Cup consolation race earlier this month (finished 11th of 16).

Form: 42/5413-

Golden Town⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: James Moffatt| OR: 107

10/1

Continues to frustrate over hurdles, and the win-less sequence now stands at 17 following a modest effort over C&D on Saturday, beaten many lengths by a rival who was runner up to Newstart in a Hexham seller previously.

Form: 3573-04

Wot A Shot¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 105

10/1

Hit with a 10lb rise for his decisive Musselburgh victory in December (2m good), and has struggled back from a break on his last two outings. Ground ideal, mark slowly easing; just not quite enough yet.

Form: 82214-6

Smart Ruler²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 10-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: James Moffatt| OR: 102| CD

20/1

The elder statesman of the Moffatt quintet, but he knows his way around this track (two-time winner). Beaten 7L by Newstart in a Hexham seller latest (2m good) on his first start for six months; second and third have won since.

Form: 43340-4

Non-Runners

Newstart²⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: K Scott J: Thomas Willmott

The Phantom²³

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: Mrs Dianne Sayer J: Jamie Hamilton

Forecasts

Tonto's Spirit (11/8), Good Tradition (7/2), Think Ahead (9/2), Newstart (7/1), Golden Town (10/1), Wot A Shot (10/1), Dodgybingo (12/1), The Phantom (12/1), Lough Kent (14/1), Smart Ruler (20/1)

Local trainer James Moffatt took this race in 2017 with Lough Kent and before factoring in odds, theoretically has a 50% chance of doing so again saddling five of the ten runners. Riding arrangements offer few clues as to the potential pecking order, but there was plenty to like about the handicap debut of C&D winner and Godolphin cast-off THINK AHEAD at Perth last month. He was beaten 8L by the thriving Morning With Ivan, with both runner up Monfass and third Elmono giving that form an overall solid feel.