16:25 Cartmel

Saturday 25 May 2019

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

Country Refreshments Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 5m 9.80s

The Kings Baby⁶^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 12-3| J: Mr Martin McIntyre⁽⁷⁾| T: H Whittington| OR: 108| D

6/4

Makes a quick return to the track (under a penalty) having looked well suited to front-running tactics when winning with ease at Stratford (2m6f) recently. Went with zest last time, should be suited by similar tactics around this sharp circuit.

Form: 8453-31

West Wizard^t¹²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 110| BF| D

11/2

Took advantage of a much-reduced mark to end a long losing run when successful at Market Rasen in September. Form before was patchy and he's reverted to that pattern since; back from a break but overall profile leaves doubts about his chance.

Form: P/1U27P-

Brave Spartacus⁶⁶

Age: 13| Weight: 11-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: G Boanas| OR: 109| CD

12/1

Veteran who is still capable of a decent performer and produced one at Market Rasen in February courtesy of a much-reduced mark. That was a weak race (also got the run of the race); failed to follow up in a better heat (had pace pressure).

Form: 42641P-

Vivaccio^b²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: James Nixon⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 103

12/1

The addition of blinkers until his last run appeared to have brought some spark back into his life aiding him to record his first win since 2014 at Huntingdon in March. Failed to fire last time (chance ended by a bad error); needs to bounce back.

Form: 4P3216-

No No Mac^b²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: D R Fox| T: I A Duncan| OR: 101| D

8/1

Back with one of his former yards; showed that he retained a fair amount of ability when winning at Musselburgh in March. Not in the same form in two starts since then; blinkers now enlisted again in a bid to return him to former glories.

Form: 03615-5

Burning Issues^p¹¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽³⁾| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 95

20/1

Veteran who appeared to show improved form on his first run for this yard at Sedgefield (2m3f) winning comfortably. Failed to build on that outing over the same C&D last time (off the bridle a long way out); questions to answer now.

Form: 89PF1-4

Bocasien Desbois¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Craig Nichol| T: M Todhunter| OR: 90| D

5/1

Made a winning start to life over fences but hasn't lived up to that start since although he did look to get some way back on track last time. Needs to prove that he can back that run up (did look a little unlucky last time); chance if he can.

Form: P3254-4

Paddling^p³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 82

6/1

Gave a hint (and no more) that there might be a bigger performance bubbling under the surface at Sedgefield last time (ran better than his final position). On the minus side he is on a long losing run; this trip could well test his suspect stamina.

Form: 357345-

Forecasts

The Kings Baby (6/4), Bocasien Desbois (5/1), West Wizard (11/2), Paddling (6/1), No No Mac (8/1), Brave Spartacus (12/1), Vivaccio (12/1), Burning Issues (20/1)

This circuit is made for a quick jumping front-runner such as THE KINGS BABY and given how she bolted up last time at Stratford those tactics are sure to be used again although she may face some competition for the lead from Brave Spartacus who only has one run style and that’s fast forward. The field as a whole doesn’t contain that many with sound profile and you have to rather read between the lines to find the dangers although Bocasien Desbois showed last time that he could win something at this level – he would need to repeat that effort though. Paddling has to race from out of the handicap but he’s well weighted on his best form and if he stays his last run puts him in the mix.