16:25 Cartmel

Monday 27 August 2018

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Ciceley Commercials Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 5m 29.7s

Raise A Spark^h³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 132| CD

9/2

Has come to chasing fairly late but already looks a better in this sphere than he did over hurdles. Unbeaten so far over fences both of his wins have come here (one over this trip) hammering a course specialist last time but up 9lb for that effort.

Form: 4/F6-411

Fair Exchange²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 127| D

5/1

Winner of three point-to-points he's still to get off the mark over fences under Rules (looks a better performer for this yard). Two recent starts probably not shown him at his best (small-field affairs) but handed a stiff looking mark for handicaps.

Form: 412P32

Midnight Shot^p1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 127| D

7/1

Failed to fire since producing a career-best over fences in the autumn (had the run of the race though) at Uttoxeter off a 7lb higher mark. Back over hurdles last time (finished well held) and returns to fences with cheekpieces on for the first-time.

Form: 8P6-6P6

Chebsey Beau¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 124| D

7/1

Returns to chasing having run well on the Flat of late and does have a 1-1 record over the larger obstacles having sprung a surprise on his debut last year. This will be his first jumping test of any sort since last year, off a 9lb higher mark.

Form: 2750P/1-

Brave Spartacus²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss E Todd⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 123| CD

20/1

Ended a long losing run when taking this race last year off a 3lb higher mark in what looked to be a weak renewal. Given a hefty rise for his 10L win he failed to cope after that and hasn't looked in much form since; dangerous to rule out though.

Form: P7-53P5

Alderbrook Lad^p³⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 123| CD

10/1

Needs no introduction around here (four-time C&D winner); pulled-up in this race last year. Scored his 4th C&D success here in May (took advantage of a much reduced mark); not disgraced in two runs here since (one over a trip that stretches him).

Form: PP5-134

Mont Royale^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122| CD

7/1

Came back to form from out of leftfield last time taking advantage of the leniency of the handicapper (13lb below his last winning mark). Raised 8lb for that win but still looks well handicapped if he can back that run up; has won over C&D.

Form: PF5-791

Border Breaker^t⁵³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: S England| OR: 117| BF| CD

9/1

Offered promise on his first run for this yard that was capitalised on next time out with a 12L win over C&D albeit in a lesser grade than this. Not seen to the same effect at Perth on his sole start since and this looks tougher.

Form: 4PP5-13

Dr Robin^b⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 112| D

13/2

Appears to have gone the wrong way since blinkers produced a rallying win at Worcester last summer. Has demonstrated all sorts of quirks since that victory culminating with running off the track at Stratford last time (looked mulish); care needed.

Form: P-8460R

Cash Again³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 107

7/1

Only has one standout effort this year to his name at Sedgefield (took advantage of a much reduced mark) but has been tested by higher marks since. Arrested the slide to some extent last time over C&D but still one to have doubts about overall.

Form: P137-53

Forecasts

Raise A Spark (9/2), Fair Exchange (5/1), Dr Robin (13/2), Midnight Shot (7/1), Mont Royale (7/1), Chebsey Beau (7/1), Cash Again (7/1), Border Breaker (9/1), Alderbrook Lad (10/1), Brave Spartacus (20/1)

There should be a strong pace on here with last year’s winner Brave Spartacus and old-foe Alderbrook Lad sure to go forward once again and with neither getting any younger they could prove vulnerable here. Mont Royale still looks well handicapped on his old form if he reproduces his winning form from last time but that’s no certainty and trainer Peter Bowen twice a winner in this event recently will face a tough task making it three with Fair Exchange featuring off a tough mark and Dr Robin looking as though he’s looking far too quirky now. RAISE A SPARK has taken well to fences and this track in particular and despite a hefty rise for his last win he’s taken to make it 3-3 over fences.