17:05 Carlisle

Sunday 23 March 2025

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Watch Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 4m 22.97s

Simply Red^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 98| D

5/1

All 4 career victories have come at Bangor for Donald McCain and having struggled on Flat/over hurdles for Mark Walford last year, ran best race for a while in an above average Catterick claimer earlier this month, having been well backed. Interesting if she can build on that.

Form: 979053

Follow Charlie^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: R M Smith| OR: 98

4/1

Dual winner at Ayr over 20.5f and ran creditably over that C&D when third of 10 in a handicap hurdle (8/1) at Ayr (20.4f, heavy) 16 days ago, having dropped back to his latest winning mark. Fairly-handicapped and claims if in the same form over this sharper test.

Form: 738653

Marty Mcfly⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 93

13/2

Struck at second time of asking for Sandy Thomson in a Perth handicap in June but has been below-form over longer trips since, latest when well-held at Ayr (20.5f) in January. Has been given a break and isn't discounted down in distance only 2 lb above his latest winning mark.

Form: 7-41040

Powerofjet⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 87

11/2

Attracted support and ran better than on handicap debut when third at Sedgefield (19.8f, good to soft) on Boxing Day but followed that up with a disappointing effort when finishing down the field at Ayr (2m) the following month. Inconsistent but handicapper has given him a chance, if on a going day.

Form: 094738

Tread Softly Now^p³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 86

14/1

Showed much improved form in first-time cheekpieces when scoring decisively on handicap bow at Ayr (2m, soft) in January. However, she found things tougher off this mark in a stronger race next time. Drop back into a 0-100 handicap should help her cause.

Form: 6-77P19

Palm Beach¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 85| C

8/1

Course winner is now 19 runs since his last win in 2022. Lost his way when posting a couple of disappointing efforts in September last year and fared no better on reappearance (racing from 9 lb out of the handicap) 2 weeks ago. Drops in grade but difficult to fancy.

Form: 7395P0

Trafalgar Square^t,p¹¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 91

18/5

Fair Flat maiden finished a creditable fourth of 8 in juvenile hurdle over C&D (good) in November but failed to reproduce that effort over same C&D when fitted with cheekpieces for handicap debut, well-held despite finished placed. No surprise to see him go well from 2 lb lower following a break.

Form: 255443

Balranald^p⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 78| D

10/1

Landed a brace of 2m handicap wins in October, looking a strong stayer over this sort of trip. Held his form when hitting the frame in two subsequent starts and looks to have place claims again, although worth a market check following a 3-month absence.

Form: 071134

Mullins Cross¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: R M Smith| OR: 78| D

22/1

Dual winner for John Joseph Halon, most recent in December 2023 but has struggled to replicate that form including on three starts for current yard, latest when disappointing over C&D 2 weeks ago. Bit to prove but one to keep an eye on in the betting now racing from a career-low handicap mark.

Form: 504845

Non-Runners

Bray Dale¹⁶

Weight: 10-8| Age: 8

T: C Bissett J: Bruce Lynn

Forecasts

Trafalgar Square (18/5), Follow Charlie (4/1), Simply Red (5/1), Powerofjet (11/2), Marty Mcfly (13/2), Bray Dale (7/1), Palm Beach (8/1), Balranald (10/1), Tread Softly Now (14/1), Mullins Cross (22/1)

Having been well backed when finishing a close third behind two class-droppers last time, SIMPLY RED can gain her first win for Brian Ellison in an ordinary looking 0-100 handicap. If ready to roll after a 4-month absence, Trafalgar Square has shown enough to suggest he's capable of winning a race of this nature, while Follow Charlie is respected following a creditable third over a longer trip earlier this month.