17:40 Cartmel

Wednesday 29 May 2019

All17:4018:1018:4519:2019:5020:2520:55

William Hill Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 5m 41.2s

Ritual Of Senses^p1,t1⁸⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Kelly Morgan| OR: 118

13/2

Debuts for this yard having shown some useful form when with Warren Greatrex previously; looks to have has some problems in the interim though. New headgear combination now tried; well handicapped on his previous form if retaining his old ability.

Form: 1346/79-

Putting Green^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 116

6/1

Failed to really cut the mustard as a hurdler as yet (useful on the Flat) having flattered (not for the first time) at Perth when last seen in this grade. Would have a chance on his Taunton second in March off this mark; not totally bombproof.

Form: 4/82P25-

Caro Des Flos²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: M D Grant| T: J S Smith| OR: 110

8/1

Almost took the chance that the handicapper had offered him when second at Huntingdon last time over slightly shorter. Kept on well on that occasion and a return to this longer trip is likely to suit having been left on the same mark.

Form: 10P00-2

Oscar Ceremony⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Alain Cawley| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 108| BF

20/1

Yard have done well with new recruits (note a market move) and this former Charlie Mann inmate makes his stable debut here. Has so far made little impact in two handicaps; not written off having been eased again in the weights.

Form: 48355-

Aengus^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 108

7/1

Failed to take to chasing (pulled up in most starts); shaped much better back over hurdles and in blinkers last time at Kelso (2m7f, good/soft). Still went in snatches and not certain to build on that effort; well weighted if he does.

Form: PP7PP-3

Bazarov^p³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 106

11/4

Rare hurdling recruit for a stable that are in rude health on the Flat; yet to finish out of the first three for this yard over hurdles (won twice). Won well from the front at Fakenham last time (fluent jumper); up another 3lb but a leading player.

Form: 222131-

Lough Kent¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 106| C

10/1

Won the finale on this card in 2017; bounced back to his best when taking similar contest at Perth recently (fortunate to do so; leader fell at the last). Often gets well behind before finding for pressure, both course wins have come in that fashion.

Form: 24543-1

Boruma⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: James Moffatt| OR: 106| CD

4/1

Dual C&D winner (took this race in 2017; off a 4lb higher mark); gave the impression he may be on the way back having performed well over C&D on Saturday. Still without usual headgear but reunited with last winning rider; back down in grade.

Form: 5F344-3

Christmas Twenty^p⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 106

33/1

Took an age to get off the mark over hurdles finally doing so last summer at Perth over 3m. Not seen after that until April when pulled up at Wetherby (not right on the day); stable won this last year but prospects not bright this year.

Form: 37241P-

Green Zone¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 104

9/1

Kept busy already this year gaining a reward for his hard work last time returned to his spiritual home at Perth to record his sixth win. Faces different circumstances here and not won off a mark this high since July 2017 when in a purple patch.

Form: 4435-41

Jeu De Mots³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 102

33/1

Landed a Ffos Las handicap chase around this time last year for one of his former yards but failed to build on that victory in two subsequent starts. Now makes his stable debut (cost £2,200) returning to the smaller obstacles.

Form: 436/16P-

Forecasts

Bazarov (11/4), Boruma (4/1), Putting Green (6/1), Ritual Of Senses (13/2), Aengus (7/1), Caro Des Flos (8/1), Green Zone (9/1), Lough Kent (10/1), Oscar Ceremony (20/1), Christmas Twenty (33/1), Jeu De Mots (33/1)

A competitive start to the evening card; the dropped in grade Boruma with Brian Hughes back on board has to be of interest although the return of his usual headgear would make him even more of a player along with his stablemate Lough Kent who appreciate the idiosyncratic nature of this course. Caro Des Flos will appreciate a return to this trip especially with the handicapper not tinkering with his mark while Aengus should be a big player if he can build on his Kelso run. BAZAROV is improving quickly though and his fast and fluent jumping style coupled with his ability to front run may well make him difficult to catch around here off what still looks a decent mark.