15:23 Carlisle

Sunday 3 November 2024

All12:4813:1813:4814:1814:5315:2315:58

Graham, Pam & Jo Birthday Celebration Cumberland Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 7m 1.94s

Iron Bridge¹⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136| C| D

11/2

Unbeaten in bumper/over hurdles and quickly developed into a useful handicap chaser, winning twice (including here) as a novice. Exploits mixed in top-end staying handicaps last term and drying ground possibly not ideal when eighth in Scottish National final start. Respected on return.

Form: 2/P23P8-

Your Own Story¹⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 130| C

14/1

Consistent 8-y-o who ran well to finish runner-up all 3 starts following an absence during the spring, latterly in 21-runner handicap at Perth (31.3f, soft) in May. No surprise to see another good showing back from 6 months off.

Form: 126/222-

Snipe¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| BF

3/1

Took well to fences last term, winning handicaps around 3m at Southwell and Aintree (heavy). Solid reappearance run when second behind re-opposing Wasdell Dundalk here (24.5f) 17 days ago, an untidy leap at the last not helping. Needs considering.

Form: 52127-2

Wasdell Dundalk¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 123| C

14/1

Done well since joining this yard, bagging a fifth success since last summer when landing 5-runner handicap chase (5/1) at this course (24.5f, good to soft) 17 days ago by 1½ lengths from Snipe. Effective at this trip but revised mark demands that little bit more.

Form: 736141

Universal Folly²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 122| C| D

8/1

Multiple winner for Nicky Richards who has steadily got his act together for present yard, his stamina shining through in a well-run race when taking 10-runner handicap chase at Kelso (26.2f) 4 weeks ago, by 5½ lengths from Brandy Mcqueen. Revised mark shouldn't prevent another good showing.

Form: PP-5531

Val Dancer^p²⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 121| BF

6/1

Much improved for fitting of cheekpieces, bringing up a chase hat-trick at Catterick (25.2f, soft) in February. Made frame despite some less than fluent jumping on final 2 starts and he could have more to offer this term given his low-mileage profile in this sphere.

Form: 311133-

Jet Legs²¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Theo Gillard| T: M Todhunter| OR: 120| C| D

9/1

Added to a positive chasing profile when doubling his tally over fences here (24.5f) in February. Good placed efforts final 2 outings, rallying gradually when third of 11 over 20f back here in April. This test rates more suitable on return from 7 months off.

Form: 412123-

Flower Of Scotland¹⁹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: A M Thomson| OR: 111WS

40/1

Borders National winner at Kelso before good third in Edinburgh National during 2022/23 campaign. Never figured in handful of outings over fences/hurdles last term but her mark has eased a good deal ahead of return/following wind surgery.

Form: 33/P84P-

Brandy Mcqueen²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Bruce Lynn| T: Gary Rutherford| OR: 107| BF| D

3/1

Made a winning chase debut at Kelso 13 months ago and having essentially struggled since, he stopped the slide after 3 months off when runner-up behind Universal Folly back at that venue 4 weeks ago. This asks a bit more however from 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: 47-6682

Non-Runners

Houston Texas¹⁹¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 10

T: N G Richards J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Snipe (3/1), Brandy Mcqueen (3/1), Iron Bridge (11/2), Val Dancer (6/1), Universal Folly (8/1), Jet Legs (9/1), Your Own Story (14/1), Wasdell Dundalk (14/1), Houston Texas (16/1), Flower Of Scotland (40/1)

SNIPE ran well returning from 8 months off and would likely have pushed re-opposing Wasdell Dundalk closer still but for an untidy leap at the last over shorter here last time. Appealing as the type to rate higher still in staying handicaps this season, he earns the vote to build on that effort back up in trip. Iron Bridge steps down in class on return and is feared, while Houston Texas, who has landed each of the last 2 renewals, and aforementioned Wasdell Dundalk complete the shortlist.