15:05 Cartmel

Saturday 20 July 2019

All13:5514:3015:0515:4516:1516:5017:25

William Hill Cumbria Crystal Cup Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 26.80s

Wells De Lune^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-3| J: Miss Jodie Hughes⁽⁷⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 137| C

9/2

Immaculate 5-5 record here and won last time off 7lb lower mark. All course wins have come at 2m1f though so has more to do over the extra 5f. Won 2m5f heavy ground hunter chase last year though so this track specialist is much respected.

Form: P9-2041

Mister Fizz^p⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Alex Edwards⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss I Pickard| OR: 132| D

12/1

Won 3-3 last summer in handicap hurdles for Alastair Ralph but hans't shone in four starts for current trainer. Coming down the weights now and 8lb lower than last success. More neded though to figure in decent race.

Form: 16008-5

Mr Clarkson^b,t⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Pipe| OR: 128

5/1

Progressive hurdler in 2017 but plagued by injury since then. Showed little in three starts last winter but bounced back following wind surgery to score at Worcester last time. 7lb rise but arguably well handicapped on old form so looks dangerous.

Form: 17/PP6-1

Candy Burg^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 124

22/1

Stable companion of Wells De Lune. Rated 10lb lower over timber than fences and probably needed outing when last of 6 at Worcester over inadequate trip last time. Should strip fitter and not out of it off 5lb lower.

Form: P171F-6

Court Dreaming^p⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 122

13/2

Stayed on well to score at Kelso in November off 6lb lower mark and has run creditably all three starts this summer despite failing to win. Looks handicapped to the hilt though and place may be best he can hope for.

Form: 4213-33

Melody Of Scotland^v²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 120

5/1

Emerged from the wilderness to win her last two starts, both at Hexham over 2m4f. Raised further 7lb for latest success but clearly in good heart and has chance if able to perform as well away from Northumbria.

Form: 73P-011

Justatenner^h²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 120| CD

11/2

Won twice over C&D last summer from three visits and returns for the first time since. Caught the eye staying on into fourth at Uttoxeter last time on first run following 132-day break so has a squeak if building on that.

Form: 24527-4

Anteros^p,t²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 116

14/1

Last win came in listed hurdle at Cheltenham in November 2016 and has failed to fire on many occasions since. Fair run last time over fences here last month when third over similar trip and is 16lb lower than this time last year.

Form: F6540-3

Tsundoku⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 114| D

20/1

Backed up a good effort at Fakenham in May by winning at Ffos Las over this trip last month off 5lb lower mark. Yard ticking over nicely so interesting to see if he attracts any market support.

Form: F18/2-21

Mega Double¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Bryony Frost| T: James Moffatt| OR: 110

4/1

Comfortably accounted for 10 rivals in Perth maiden hurdle last time but this is a different kettle of fish. Still young though and with top rider booked is not without interest at her local track.

Form: 622-531

Non-Runners

Constancio²⁰

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: D McCain Jnr J: W T Kennedy

Forecasts

Mega Double (4/1), Wells De Lune (9/2), Mr Clarkson (5/1), Melody Of Scotland (5/1), Justatenner (11/2), Court Dreaming (13/2), Mister Fizz (12/1), Constancio (12/1), Anteros (14/1), Tsundoku (20/1), Candy Burg (22/1)

A good race in prospect with Wells De Lune bidding to make it 6-6 at the track. He will prove a very tough nut to crack but marginal preference if for the unexposed MR CLARKSON whose handler has done well to get him back after a long absence and he won nicely last time out. In-form Melody Of Scotland is respected but has to prove she can do it away from Hexham, and it would not surprise to see bold show from either Justatenner or Candy Burg, both of whom hinted they were coming to hand with fair efforts last time out.