17:25 Cartmel

Monday 23 July 2018

All14:1514:4515:2015:5016:2516:5517:25

John Smiths Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:27 | Winning time: 4m 16.60s

Minella Fiveo⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: K Yeoman⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 102

12/1

Mark has now slipped to such extent he's running in a 0-100 for the first-time having failed the last twice to build on his best effort for a while. Formerly capable of winning off higher marks but has to be trusted to come back to form.

Form: 4S42-66

Crakehall Lad^h³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: A Crook| OR: 100| CD

40/1

A winner on this card in 2016 over this trip by 14L he's never really produced anything of that ilk again. Has been in poor form on the Flat of late and a leap of faith is required to support him despite the reduced mark.

Form: U1278/V

Fiosrach⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 99

14/1

Headgear dispensed with over C&D last time when returning from a 9-month absence running better than his finishing position suggests. A career record of 1-23 is hardly a compelling one though with his local stable rather quiet.

Form: 3/2648-6

Iolani^p,h,t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 97| D

4/1

Most of his hurdles form is below his best for this stable but his Flat performances show that ability still remains and he's operating of a much reduced mark. All of his considerable headgear is now back on and he's one to watch in the market.

Form: 7884P-V

Stags Leap^p⁵⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: J Kington| T: Julia Brooke| OR: 95| CWS

7/1

Falling in the weights when last seen (failing to take advantage) and now hopes look to be pinned on a recent wind op. Dual course winner over further off higher marks but more needed now; never won at this shorter trip.

Form: 112/77-6

Snowed In^p⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: B Butterworth| OR: 92| D

12/1

Bounced back to form at Catterick on New Year's Day winning the same race for the second year running off a 1lb lower mark. Not disgraced since but hardly threatening to win again; contested the void race here two months ago.

Form: 15406-V

Smart Ruler²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: James Moffatt| OR: 91| CD

12/1

Dual C&D winner who continues to struggle for form rather like his local yard who usually perform far better at this track. No doubt he's dropped to a mark that he could be dangerous off but looks a risky proposition all the same.

Form: 340-466

Lord Fendale^p⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 91

5/2

Winner in novice company when trained in Ireland and yet to score for this yard although he showed the benefit of a recent run last time to a subsequent winner. Looks better in headgear and dangerous to ignore off the same mark.

Form: 6009-52

Louloumills^t²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 86

10/1

Last of five here on Saturday she hardly looked like improving her 1-27 career record finishing last albeit in a better grade than this. Would need others to falter to record her second career success in this.

Form: 765-645

Kisumu^p,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 82

11/2

Mark continues to fall and is now getting to the level where if he finds some form he's going to be very dangerous. Did take a step back in the right direction last time at Perth when taking a modest third but does have his quirks to contend with.

Form: 7P-8V73

Towerburn^b1,t⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 76

50/1

A dual winner in point-to-points his record under Rules reads 0-18 (0-11 over hurdles) and he produced a laboured and well beaten effort last time at Hexham. Blinkers (first-time) now join his usual tongue-tie; limited appeal.

Form: 2PP4-P0

Non-Runners

Sleep In First²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 12

T: J Ewart J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lord Fendale (5/2), Iolani (4/1), Sleep In First (4/1), Kisumu (11/2), Stags Leap (7/1), Louloumills (10/1), Smart Ruler (12/1), Minella Fiveo (12/1), Snowed In (12/1), Fiosrach (14/1), Crakehall Lad (40/1), Towerburn (50/1)

Most of these have something to prove even if they are operating off marks that they ought to be able of cashing in on. Kisumu in particular has slipped to a dangerous looking mark if he can build on his outing at Perth last time although he’s never been the most straightforward. Minella Fiveo has never been seen in a grade this low and a return to form would make him of interest as it would Smart Ruler with Brian Hughes and eye-catching booking. Lord Fendale is the obvious one on form given his Stratford second has been franked but the vote goes to IOLANI. He’s very well handicapped and his recent Flat form suggests that he may be able to take this with all the headgear reapplied.