18:50 Cartmel

Wednesday 29 May 2024

All17:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:2020:50

Hales Of Cartmel Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 18:51 | Winning time: 5m 52.55s

Hurricane Ali¹⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 120

5/1

Went without a win last season but placed on four occasions. Shaped as if still in form when fifth of 7 at Doncaster (16.6f) on his final outing in December, so he's one to note as he drops back in grade on first run for yard after leaving John Mackie.

Form: 935525-

Tactical Affair^t1⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 117

9/2

Winner of a Cork maiden on second start over hurdles when trained by Gordon Elliott. Not discredited on his stable debut when runner-up in novice at Warwick (16f) in March and he can leave behind a lesser effort now handicapping with tongue strap added. Major player.

Form: 313423-

Imperial Data¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 112

13/8

Irish point winner who improved after undergoing a wind op last season, winning a maiden hurdle at Kelso and back-to-back handicaps at Sedgefield (both at 19.8f). Ran well after 7 months off when fifth at Hexham 18 days ago and he's a contender with that run behind him.

Form: 22111-5

Western Run^p³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 110

13/2

It's now been twenty-five runs since his last win back in 2020. Reverted to hurdling after 8 months off, found less than looked likely when fifth of 11 in handicap at Perth (20.2f) in April. Continues to fall in the weights but others still preferred.

Form: 1/25645-

Gastibelza^h,t⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 106| D

8/1

Fairly useful hurdle/chase winner in France, leaving Gabriel Leenders after Fontainebleau claiming chase success (19.1f) in February. Let down by her jumping at Ludlow on her stable debut in April, but she's not written off back over hurdles at a left-handed track.

Form: 2/16312-

Vocal Duke^p¹⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: James Moffatt| OR: 103| C

9/1

Back on-song when runner-up in first-time cheekpieces at Carlisle (17.2f) in October. Hasn't been able to repeat that effort in his 2 subsequent outings, fifth of 10 at Catterick on New Year's Day, but he's capable if on a going day as he goes up in trip.

Form: 676255-

Be The Difference¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 97

14/1

Recorded back-to-back wins at Ayr in November 2021 and held his form well for the remainder of that campaign. Absent for 26 months prior to the current season, failing to complete through no fault of his own at Perth 2 weeks ago. This run should reveal more.

Form: 33624/S

Non-Runners

Our Laura B⁴

Weight: 10-13| Age: 6

T: B Haslam J: R P McLernon

Kidman⁸⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 8

T: S Waugh J: Jamie Hamilton

Forecasts

Imperial Data (13/8), Tactical Affair (9/2), Hurricane Ali (5/1), Our Laura B (5/1), Western Run (13/2), Kidman (7/1), Gastibelza (8/1), Vocal Duke (9/1), Be The Difference (14/1)

TACTICAL AFFAIR may have disappointed at Ffos Las on his latest outing, but it remains early days for his current yard so he's well worth another chance upped to a trip that should suit as he makes his handicap debut. Imperial Data made an encouraging reappearance at Hexham 18 days ago and is respected, with Our Laura B also considered back down in distance.