16:00 Cartmel

Saturday 26 August 2023

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3617:0617:36

Fitzdares Cartmel Cup Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 4m 16.13s

Glorious Zoff^h,t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 128| D

5/1

Rejuvenated following a breathing operation, winning 2m Warwick handicap in May. Remained in form since (third in competitive event at Market Rasen latest) and should go well again.

Form: 4P-1F23

For Pleasure^p1⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 116| D

8/1

Free-going front runner who took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 11 to Glorious Zoff in handicap at Warwick in May but pulled up at Newton Abbot since. Cheekpieces are reached for on the back of that.

Form: 407-5VP

Young Merlin³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 113

9/2

Fairly useful Flat winner who is 2-2 in Southwell novice hurdles for this yard this summer. Looks on a workable mark for his handicap hurdle debut and there's likely more to come.

Form: 11

Call Me Rocky^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Bradley Harris⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 112| D

17/2

Failed to win over hurdles in Ireland but won his first 2 outings (maiden/handicap) for this yard last month. Possible excuses when well held in the mud here last month and might get back on track after a break.

Form: 05-3110

Vocal Duke⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: James Moffatt| OR: 111| CD

8/1

C&D winner. Hasn't fired in 3 outings this summer but his mark has come down as a result. A revival wouldn't be a surprise.

Form: U28-056

Well Educated²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 110| D

15/2

Five-time winner over hurdles last year and shaped as if back in form when third of 11 at Bangor (19.5f, good) 22 days ago. Needs to build on that now.

Form: P0-4363

Calum Gilhooley³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 108| D

40/1

Bangor winner for Graeme McPherson in 2021. Off 2 years before coming in last of 5 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (2m, good) 32 days ago. Lots to prove.

Form: 4PD21/5

Calevade^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 106| CD

7/2

Has shown a real liking for this place this summer, winning 2 C&D handicaps and a creditable third of 8 last month. Likely to be in the shake-up again.

Form: P75-113

Gavin^h,t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 105| BF

9/1

Landed a Fakenham selling handicap on his final start for Joe Ponting and notched 2 quick Ffos Las wins for his current yard. Latest Bangor run was disappointing but no surprise were he to bounce straight back.

Form: 111257

Very Excellent¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 104| D

40/1

No showing in 2 hurdles outings for this yard over the winter but did win on the Flat at Beverley last month (only eighth at Ripon since).

Form: 5/586P6-

Forecasts

Calevade (7/2), Young Merlin (9/2), Glorious Zoff (5/1), Well Educated (15/2), Vocal Duke (8/1), For Pleasure (8/1), Call Me Rocky (17/2), Gavin (9/1), Very Excellent (40/1), Calum Gilhooley (40/1)

YOUNG MERLIN looks on a feasible opening handicap mark in this sphere, particularly with further progress likely, and can stretch his unbeaten hurdle record to 3. Glorious Zoff and Calevade, who has done very well here this summer, head the dangers.