15:03 Cartmel

Saturday 16 July 2022

All13:5414:2915:0315:3416:1016:4317:15

William Hill Cumbria Crystal Cup Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:04 | Winning time: 5m 22.7s

Homme D'Un Soir^p,t⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: D A Jacob| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 128

22/1

Perth novice hurdle winner this time last year and a couple of good efforts in handicaps up in trip for new yard in Ireland last season. Wouldn't dismiss back from a break.

Form: 1P8438-

Kaizer²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 123

11/2

Enjoying a fine year, a dual winner in staying handicap hurdles at Kelso before landing a gamble in well-contested Pontefract handicap on the level 4 weeks ago. Bit more needed to continue the good work here.

Form: 21210-4

Saint Riquier^p²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 128

8/1

Off the mark over hurdles in 19f Warwick handicap in May. Fair runs on the level twice since and could have more to offer at this level back jumping. Interesting with 7 lb conditional up.

Form: 22945-1

Charlie Uberalles²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 122

11/2

Impressive as he made a successful start over fences/in handicaps at Perth (3m) 4 weeks ago, making all and jumping boldly as he put a field of more established chasers to the sword. Still unexposed over both sets of obstacles and can go well again.

Form: 322/221

Native Fighter²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 119| CD

10/1

In good form at this venue last summer, winning twice again under Charlotte Jones. Yet to fire this term but he's been given a chance by the handicapper and a better showing wouldn't be too much of a surprise.

Form: 3314-60

Fugitives Drift^p1,t1⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 119| C

11/1

Useful hurdler in 2020/21 and back in this sphere after another washout over fences. Well handicapped if the fitting of tongue tie/cheekpieces can help him find his peak form again.

Form: 1PP2-2P

Largy G^p1⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: Noel Williams| OR: 116| D

12/1

Took a good pot at Newbury in April but made heavy weather of landing odds of 1/6 in thin mares' novice at Newton Abbot 9 weeks ago. Cheekpieces go on and this will demand another career best.

Form: 2/3031-1

Johnson's Blue³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Walford| OR: 110

7/2

Improving hurdler who has been on a roll at Hexham, looking just as at home making the running and jumping his 3 rivals into the ground as he got a hat-trick up 5 weeks ago. More to come and seems sure to go well again.

Form: 712-111

Belles Benefit²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 108| D

11/1

Landed a gamble in good style on first run for yard at Fontwell over this trip last month and fair effort under a penalty at Newton Abbot 4 weeks ago. This is much tougher.

Form: 239-313

Malangen⁶^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Thomas Dowson| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 100

18/1

Temperamental sort usually seen at Perth, scoring twice in his last 3 starts there this summer. This demands a lot more.

Form: 776151

Well Educated²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 103

7/1

Has won 2 of his last 3 starts over hurdles, both at Hexham (first in seller for John Quinn). Might have more to offer but this is a whole different test.

Form: 548-121

Sword Of Fate²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: D R Fox| T: L Kerr| OR: 95| C

22/1

Back in good form, winning Perth handicap chase in May, while he seemed to excel himself in class 2 contest here 20 days ago. This might just stretch him back over hurdles.

Form: 5-31322

Forecasts

Johnson's Blue (7/2), Charlie Uberalles (11/2), Kaizer (11/2), Well Educated (7/1), Saint Riquier (8/1), Native Fighter (10/1), Belles Benefit (11/1), Fugitives Drift (11/1), Largy G (12/1), Malangen (18/1), Homme D'Un Soir (22/1), Sword Of Fate (22/1)

JOHNSON'S BLUE has a very likeable way of going about things and can improve again to notch up a fifth win in 6 starts. 4-y-o Saint Riquier is interesting back in this sphere, with Charlie Uberalles and Native Fighter also considered in another strong renewal of this handicap.