15:40 Carlisle

Thursday 25 October 2018

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1016:4517:20

Doug Jackson Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 6m 47.4s

Lord Ballim^h,t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 127| C

15/2

Three-time winner at this track in early 2017 (2m1f-2m4f), including over fences beating Baileys Concerto by 6L; much higher in the weights now, but not beaten too far (fifth) over hurdles at Sedgefield (3m3f) last month.

Form: 7-17825

Forthefunofit^p⁹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126| D

11/2

Back in the winners enclosure, despite taking some cajoling over hurdles at Stratford (3m2f+ good) in July; yet to strike over fences (0-4), but has Barry Geraghty in the saddle and looks exactly the type to appreciate such experienced handling.

Form: 15/9-521

Ballymalin¹⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| BF

2/1

Talented staying hurdler (138-rated); plenty of misdemeanours over fences since making a winning chase debut at Worcester (2m7f) 13-months ago; 4lb lower than when finishing 15L third to Regal Flow in the 2018 Midlands National (4m2f, heavy).

Form: 3P3F38-

Sharp Response¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 124| BF

7/1

Well beaten on seasonal reappearance over hurdles at Hexham (3m, soft) 12 days ago, but that run should have blown away a few cobwebs; 8lb higher than when beating Red Infantry by 1¼L at Catterick (3m1f novice handicap) in February.

Form: 6/7321-4

Carrigdhoun^t⁷

Age: 13| Weight: 11-8| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 120| CD

10/1

Veteran; 7-37 over fences; winner of this race in 2013; also edged out Cultram Abbey by a head (from 9lb higher) over C&D in October 2016; expected to come on a bundle for the run last week (when not disgraced).

Form: 6/3444-6

Mahler Lad^v¹⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117| BF| D

11/1

Bitterly disappointing at Hexham in June (3m, good), but he was taken on for the lead there at the end of a long season; 5lb above his last winning mark; finished 4L second to Onderun over C&D in April (heavy).

Form: P412-1P

Scotswell¹⁶⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 114| D

100/1

Not won since April 2017 (C&D), and age will catch up with him eventually, but he's been a grand horse over many years. Bold front runner who is slipping in the weights; plenty to prove at this track, so not the answer.

Form: 81/7P7-5

Ange Des Malberaux^t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 111

8/1

Transformed character since leaving the Langholm base of James Ewart; 3-4 for Dan Skelton - latterly when reeling in the idling Lady London at Perth (3m, good); further improvement required off a 3lb higher mark and yet to score beyond 3m.

Form: P-01141

Amilliontimes^t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 110| C

25/1

Now rated 1lb lower than when notching the final leg of a four-timer in 2016 (2m5f Carlisle); beaten just shy of 5L, when finishing a keeping on third to Belmount at Perth (3m, good) last month; stamina reservations.

Form: 257543

Total Assets²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁷⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 109| C| D

16/1

Ended last season high in the weights over hurdles and was switched to fences (far less proficient) as a result; 66/1 for seasonal return at Perth (3m hurdle) last month; theoretically well handicapped, but very risky.

Form: 532-830

Classical Milano^p¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 107

40/1

Made all when a game winner of a lesser race (off a similar mark) at Hexham (3m, good) in June, but his fencing let him down at a crucial stage latest (pulled up); better options await in the future.

Form: 42173P

Forecasts

Ballymalin (2/1), Forthefunofit (11/2), Sharp Response (7/1), Lord Ballim (15/2), Ange Des Malberaux (8/1), Carrigdhoun (10/1), Mahler Lad (11/1), Total Assets (16/1), Amilliontimes (25/1), Classical Milano (40/1), Scotswell (100/1)

A very competitive 3m2f handicap chase. The not entirely straightforward Forthefunofit will undoubtedly be popular with punters with Barry Geraghty in the saddle, and this vastly experienced rider might be able to coax more out of this Jonjo O'Neill-trained runner. Lord Ballim is a three-time Carlisle winner who warmed up for this race with a hurdles spin at Sedgefield, whilst the thoroughly likeable Carrigdhoun (won this in 2013) ran a fair race here last week off an 11 month absence. Ange Des Malberaux (3-4 for Dan Skelton) has stamina to prove but merits respect, but the preferred option is the returned to fences Catterick winner SHARP RESPONSE.