14:35 Cartmel

Sunday 30 June 2019

All14:0014:3515:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

PSR Marquees Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 8.80s

Project Bluebook^p1⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 136

10/3

Much improved on his recent hurdles efforts when finishing second in the Swinton at Haydock; that run suggesting that a return to 2m4f would suit. Up 4lb but he's still well weighted if track/trip don't prove too sharp. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 806/00-2

John Constable^t⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 135| D

10/1

Lurking on a dangerous mark, proved that with his third in the Swinton at Haydock last time (not back to his very best but still capable of some smart form). This will be his second run back from a wind op; interesting if he can build on last start.

Form: F0867-3

Dino Velvet³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 135| D

6/1

Thriving this year with two wins already plus a trio of creditable effort since those victories over 2m at Market Rasen/Stratford. Ground to make up with John Constable/Project Bluebook from Haydock; handicapper may have him just about right.

Form: 5112-64

Manamite³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 130

10/1

Rejuvenated byt his yard (good record of doing that with owner's horses); won three from six since going there. Still looks to be evolving again; fine second last time (to an improver/handicap debutante), worthy contender if they go a strong gallop.

Form: 141P-12

Tonto's Spirit^h³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 130| CD

16/1

Likes this place having won over hurdles/fences here and he's a bold front-runner. 10lb above his last winning hurdles mark and while still capable of running well, he does face pace pressure.

Form: 2/1325-1

Wells De Lune^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 130| CD

14/1

Thrives here (won three handicap hurdles/good handicap chase) and unbeaten at the track; below that form since though. Ran what has become a typical race since last time (failed to see race out); handicapper giving him a chance, front-runner.

Form: 1P9-204

Mystic Sky^b³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Maxime Tissier⁽⁵⁾| T: L Wadham| OR: 130| D

12/1

Bounced back to form at Warwick last time when back on a fair mark. Best given a speed test (track may suit) although she's never won off a mark this high before; not an obvious sort to win again.

Form: 21277-1

Passing Call^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 129| D

16/1

Not disgraced in most of her starts since rattling off a hat-trick last summer over hurdles, her last two starts showing that she should be competitive off this mark. Runner-up last time at Newton Abbot (travelled well); and should go close.

Form: 1134-42

Constancio²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 129| D

17/2

Stratford played to his strengths last time (speed test/sharp track) and while that's what he gets here, a 9lb rise leaves him needing more. Made all for his two hurdles wins and that won't be an easy trick to pull off here (faces pace pressure).

Form: 21R32-1

Altruism^p¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Callum Bewley| T: James Moffatt| OR: 128| CD

28/1

All five wins (four over hurdles) have come here but he's been lightly-raced of late (missed the whole of the 2018). Needed his comeback run (aggressively ridden/looked hard ride); lurks on a good mark but does have his quirks.

Form: P81/72-4

Zig Zag^p²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 127| CD

40/1

Couldn't have scripted a better pace scenario (chased a strong gallop) when winning over C&D in May (heavy ground); race came too quickly attempting to follow up. Harsh 9lb rise for his last win makes him vulnerable in a race such as this.

Form: 145-617

Nayati¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 127| D

10/1

New yard have certainly found the key to him of late getting him to win his first race since he was a juvenile; then resuming winning ways last time at Aintree. Handicapper starting to get his measure; needs to step up again on his latest start.

Form: 985-131

Magna Cartor^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 125| D

9/2

Typical improver for this yard after a stable switch (didn't take them long to get his measure); won his last two races following up under a penalty last time. Faces a stiffer test now (up in grade/career-high mark); may just be found wanting.

Form: 648-411

Turtle Wars⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 120| BF

40/1

Debutant for this yard returning to hurdles (promising novice) having not quite cut it over fences when with Nicky Henderson (still time for him in that sphere). Could look well bought at £9,000 if he can be rejuvenated; best observed here.

Form: 15/5P5P-

Forecasts

Project Bluebook (10/3), Magna Cartor (9/2), Dino Velvet (6/1), Constancio (17/2), Nayati (10/1), John Constable (10/1), Manamite (10/1), Mystic Sky (12/1), Wells De Lune (14/1), Passing Call (16/1), Tonto's Spirit (16/1), Altruism (28/1), Turtle Wars (40/1), Zig Zag (40/1)

The quality of this race is evident with the second, third and sixth from the valuable Swinton Hurdle at Haydock all taking each other on again. The sixth Dino Velvet is best off at the weights with the pair that finished second and third namely PROJECT BLUEBOOK and John Constable but it’s the John Quinn runner who gets the vote with this race looking as though it will be run to suit at a strong pace. Owner of the selection JP McManus has another credible threat in the rejuvenated Manamite while lurking towards the foot of the weights is Magna Cartor who faces his stiffest test yet bit given his connections and their modus operandi can’t be left out of this.