16:50 Cartmel

Sunday 30 June 2019

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

Racing Staff Week Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 5m 33.0s

Bhutan^t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-3| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122

5/1

Third in a better class handicap at Chepstow in February looked a step back on the right road; those hopes have since been dashed with two meagre efforts since. Would have a chance off this mark on the pick of his Irish form; uncertainty remains.

Form: 2PP30-8

Allbarnone³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-2| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 121| CD

9/2

Both his career wins have come here (212513 at track); proved as good as ever here last time when attempting to win a race he won the previous year (had not run in the interim). Solid sort given his previous course exploits; vulnerable to improvers.

Form: 5759/1-3

Supreme Steel^b⁵⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 117

4/1

Like many recruits to this yard found immediate progress with a Uttoxeter win (July 2017); producing another sound if slightly quirky performance straight after. Returns from a fair absence; handicapper provides some assistance; note a market move.

Form: 321256/

Boruma³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 116| CD

9/2

Plenty of form here (three-time C&D winner) securing the third of those wins last time (has signalled a return to form in previous start). Up 10lb for that win (should cope with that rise); 0-5 for this rider but hard to leave out of the equation.

Form: F344-31

Secret Escape^b²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115| C

5/1

Course win came in the opener on this card last year; improved markedly last time to record his first handicap success in first-time blinkers. Did have the run of things which tempers enthusiasm slightly but could yet achieve what she has promised.

Form: 3273-01

Oakley Hall²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 112

14/1

Go back to his earlier form and you can make a case for him being well handicapped but his recent efforts haven't offered much hope of turning things around. Hard to see him taking a hand in this up against some in-form sorts.

Form: 2/2PP-06

Desert Sensation^p,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 110

14/1

Well below the pick of his hurdles efforts having had his attentions turned to chasing of late when with the Newland yard (failed to convince with his attitude). Now with a new yard; nicely weighted but has something to prove.

Form: 7/534-36

Farmer Boy^h1⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: N J Hawke| OR: 107

7/1

Back from a break with all headgear removed proved to be the catalyst for a much improved performance to win at Market Rasen. Keen last time (now hooded first-time) he needs a strong gallop to been seen at his best slightly up in grade.

Form: 6/5PU1-3

Dr Robin^b,t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 105

20/1

Showed his good side when winning over fences at Ffos Las in October but has merely underlined his inconsistent/moody nature since then. Let down by his jumping over fences; now returns to hurdles; hard horse to support with confidence.

Form: 945-4P5

Some Ambition¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 101

100/1

Showed nothing on his debut for this yard having been off 16 months; struggling well before halfway. Previously with Charlie Longsdon his previous form was only modest at best and he'll struggle to be competitive in this.

Form: 29405/6

Non-Runners

Melody Of Scotland⁷

Weight: 12-1| Age: 5

T: B Haslam J: R P McLernon

Brotherly Company¹¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 7

T: Miss J E Foster J: Henry Brooke

Buster Edwards²⁰

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Too Much To Ask²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: J Candlish J: Aidan Coleman

Forecasts

Supreme Steel (4/1), Boruma (9/2), Allbarnone (9/2), Melody Of Scotland (9/2), Secret Escape (5/1), Bhutan (5/1), Too Much To Ask (11/2), Farmer Boy (7/1), Buster Edwards (12/1), Oakley Hall (14/1), Desert Sensation (14/1), Dr Robin (20/1), Brotherly Company (25/1), Some Ambition (100/1)

The potential that Too Much To Ask had been showing for the Jennie Candlish yard was well and unlocked here on Friday over a shorter trip providing Richard Johnson with an armchair ride. It won’t be a surprise if there is more to come under a 7lb penalty although this is tougher and comes quickly facing three other last time out winners. Melody Of Scotland also runs under a penalty but appears to be thriving and should go close if she stays. BORUMA won this in 2017 (one of three C&D vistories) and was third last year, he’s raised 10lb for his recent win but he won this off 1lb higher and was placed off 3lb more last year. Secret Escape and course specialist Allbarnone deserve respect.