14:02 Carlisle

Sunday 2 November 2025

All12:3213:0213:3214:0214:3715:1215:47

Stephex Trucks UK Castletown Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:07 | Winning time: 5m 14.06s

Faivoir⁵⁹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

28/1

Talented hurdler/chaser who capitalised on much-reduced mark when winning County Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival in 2023 and ran right up to best when caught on line in 2024 Imperial Cup at Sandown. Not seen for 19 months, though, and looks yard's second string judged by jockey bookings.

Form: P28526/

Nells Son²³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 135| C

14/1

Prolific chase winner at shorter trips. Not seen over smaller obstacles since 2023 but can race off a much-reduced mark in this sphere so warrants respect.

Form: 17/113P-

Personal Ambition²³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 131

4/1

Useful novice over hurdles in 2023/24, winning 3 times, and looked set to make it third time lucky over fences in Grade 2 at Ascot last December before a final-fence mistake caused him to lose all momentum. Below par thereafter but looks fairly treated on return back in this sphere.

Form: 6/2423P-

Dedicated Hero¹⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: A M Thomson| OR: 130

11/1

Progressed over hurdles last term, winning 2 of his 4 starts (at up to 16.2f). Far from disgraced stepped up in grade/trip at Perth (23.9f, soft). in April and could be a player on handicap debut here.

Form: 1/13115-

Nurse Susan²⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| C| D

11/1

Lightly raced but talented mare, returned from absence to win handicaps at Cheltenham (20.3f) and Lingfield (23f) in 2023/24. Proved disappointing in 2 starts last season but lurks on a dangerous mark if back to her best.

Form: 4711/09-

Karafon¹⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 129

20/1

Disappointed on chase debut at Tipperary in May but made a winning return in this sphere at Clonmel last term and is worth monitoring in the market on yard debut here.

Form: 1470F-7

Florida Dreams²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 125

5/1

Largely consistent over hurdles last term and wasn't fluent when narrowly held on chase debut at Hexham last month. Returns to smaller obstacles now but others look better treated.

Form: 57524-2

Kapal Layar¹⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 124| D

3/1

Progressive over hurdles last term, improving for step up in trip when taking handicaps at Chepstow (19.5f) and Perth (20.2f). May have more to offer this term and is one for the shortlist.

Form: 344211-

Siog Geal²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Hogan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 122

13/2

Irish point winner who made it 2-4 over hurdles when signing off with handicap success at Newbury (20.5f) in March. Likely has even more to offer this season so she must be taken seriously.

Form: 221421-

Hartington²⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 119

7/1

Off the mark at Newbury (16.3f) in November and benefited from step up in trip when good second of 10 in handicap hurdle at Windsor (20f, good to soft) when last seen in January. Remains low mileage so further progress may be forthcoming this season.

Form: 53/5122-

Jericoacoara^h1²¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 114

40/1

Not scored since 2023 and was unable to land a blow in 3 starts for this yard last term. od). Likely best watched on return to action in first-time hood.

Form: 54/7430-

Forecasts

Kapal Layar (3/1), Personal Ambition (4/1), Florida Dreams (5/1), Siog Geal (13/2), Hartington (7/1), Dedicated Hero (11/1), Nurse Susan (11/1), Nells Son (14/1), Karafon (20/1), Faivoir (28/1), Jericoacoara (40/1)

Preference is for SIOG GEAL, who still showed signs of inexperience when scoring at Newbury in March and returns on a handy mark. Kapal Layar also appeals as a likely improver and is feared most, whilst Personal Ambition looks nicely handicapped returned to hurdling and could prove dangerous.