17:30 Cartmel

Monday 22 July 2019

All14:1514:4515:2015:5016:2517:0017:30

John Smiths Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:31 | Winning time: 4m 23.30s

Echo Express¹⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-3| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards| OR: 102| D

14/1

Made an encouraging start to his chase career scoring at Hexham over 2m in first-time cheekpieces. Seemingly better over fences than hurdles his two subsequent start in that sphere have lacked any zip; needs to return to life back over hurdles.

Form: 7/P214P-

Canford Thompson^p²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-3| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 102

11/4

Landed a Stratford handicap hurdle on his last run for Neil King looking as though there was more to come. Not quite found the same form for this yard but his C&D second reads well; given an injudicious ride here on Saturday, may do better here.

Form: 3261-24

Richard Strauss^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Midgley⁽¹⁰⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 97

4/1

Runner-up over C&D on his most recent hurdles start (the form of that run equals his earlier Musselburgh win) to a big improver. Below-par on the Flat since then in a couple of outings, would have claims if he can find his hurdling form.

Form: 88163-2

Mighty Whitey^t³⁶

Age: 13| Weight: 11-9| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 94| CD

14/1

Has a C&D win to his name although that did come two years ago albeit off a 5lb higher mark; recent form is questionable though. Back from 10 months off last time not looking one to be interested in unless there is some market positivity.

Form: 95/0VF-6

Frightened Rabbit¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 91| BF

3/1

Trainer in good form of late (double here on Saturday); this one ended a long losing run when building on some recent good Flat/jumps performances over hurdles at Hexham. Ran well again last time, should get involved in this, still on a decent mark.

Form: 6/3-2412

Super Sid^b1⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts| OR: 90

20/1

Only win so far came on his debut for Tom George over hurdles (end of 2017); form since being modest at best. Not seen over hurdles for a while or for this yard; fared poorly last time in headgear; now blinkered (first-time) back over hurdles.

Form: D/6P-58P

Cool Artist⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 90WS

20/1

Yard do well on their Northern forays so well worth a second glance despite some modest (at best) hurdles effort so far. Up in trip to 2m6f for her handicap debut last time off what looked a stiff mark (now down 5lb/back in trip); had win op.

Form: 44-0

Clayton Hall¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 89

50/1

Looks very limited these days on the Flat and not any better over hurdles although he has less blemishes against him in this sphere. Offered very little in his last C&D outing (effort proving short-lived); hard to construct a case.

Form: F/7640-8

Rajapur^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: D Thompson| OR: 87

50/1

Did win a race on the Flat in March (poor AW seller) but all his four subsequent starts have been poor including when making mistakes and being pulled-up over hurdles at Southwell. Hard to work up much enthusiasm for his chance even off this mark.

Form: 385/4P-P

Fiercly Forgie²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 86

13/2

Did win in the point-to-point sphere (1-3) but failed to match his market strength when well beaten over C&D on stable debut (fitness may have been an issue). That race had more depth than this but still needs to step up to have a chance.

Form: 14679-7

Snowed In^p⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: B Butterworth| OR: 85| D

9/1

0-11 around here (0-10 over C&D) so hard to say that this is a course he appreciates. Might well have needed the run over C&D last time but still finished well held; not won away from Catterick since 2014; others appeal far more.

Form: 96236-7

Forecasts

Canford Thompson (11/4), Frightened Rabbit (3/1), Richard Strauss (4/1), Fiercly Forgie (13/2), Snowed In (9/1), Mighty Whitey (14/1), Echo Express (14/1), Cool Artist (20/1), Super Sid (20/1), Clayton Hall (50/1), Rajapur (50/1)

Another fairly awkward puzzle to sort out with Frightened Rabbit looking to capitalise again on his good recent form although he does have to prove himself around here but could be dangerous if gaining a soft lead. Both Richard Strauss and Echo Express would have to be given a chance on their best form along with Snowed In for whom Brian Hughes may be a significant booking although Barbara Butterworth’s charge has never been at his best away from Catterick. CANFORD THOMPSON isn’t exactly a serial winner but he’s better than his fourth here on Saturday which came in a more testing grade than this and with a good 7lb conditional taking over from an amateur he’s given a chance to atone.