14:13 Cartmel

Monday 25 May 2026

All13:3814:1314:4815:2315:5816:3617:11

Johnny & Tony Connell Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 14:14 | Winning time: 5m 26.66s

Secret Secret^t³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 100| CD

7/2

Landed third C&D success when a decisive winner in July last year. Ran well when fourth here the following month and probably needed the run after 5 months off when down the field at Kelso in April. Merits consideration back at this venue.

Form: 9/31469-

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Shinealight²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁵⁾| T: John Dawson| OR: 99

8/1

Off mark in Irish points at second attempt (finished alone) and some promise on first 2 of 3 starts in maiden hurdles. Matched the pick of that form when third of 8 on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (23f) early this month, but improvement required for a first Rules success.

Form: 10576-3

Achnamara^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Ian Power| T: P A Kirby| OR: 94

12/1

Successful twice during 2024/25 but hasn't kicked on in this sphere since, running poorly both outings in April before a never-dangerous third at Pontefract on the level last time. Revival needed to take advantage of his easing mark.

Form: 4FP699-

Celestial Reign^t⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 93

5/1

Maiden winner at Sedgefield last spring but hasn't offered much in handicaps this year, tailed off at the same course (27f) on latest outing in April. Has dropped further in the weights, though others more persuasive at present.

Form: 24600P-

Evenwood Sonofagun^p,t⁶⁶

3/1

Recorded quick-fire double here last year, including success in this race. Had been struggling for form but step back in the right direction when sixth of 13 at Musselburgh (3m) in March. Back down to a handy mark ahead of return to Cartmel (has had a breathing operation).

Form: 3F7076-

Imperial Imp^p,t¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: Annabelle Sowray| OR: 85| D

33/1

Lightly raced under Rules, running to a modest level on first of 2 starts in maiden hurdles in Ireland back in spring 2021. Three-time point winner for current trainer but tailed off in hunter chase at Hexham 16 days ago. Makes handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 12/P41-6

Masterminding¹⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Leah Noreci⁽¹⁰⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 84

12/1

Fair form at best on the Flat but has offered little over hurdles since returning from a lengthy absence in 2024, well held in a Musselburgh novice when last seen in December. However, he's worth a market check as he goes handicapping on first run since leaving Maurice Barnes.

Form: 9/P5676-

R Bernard^p⁴⁰⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 78| BF| DWS

12/1

Recorded back-to-back wins at Stratford in spring 2024 but struggled for form subsequently. However, he's been given a chance by the handicapper so he's an interesting contender despite 13-month absence (has had a breathing operation).

Form: 166084/

Zuul^p,t²¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 75

20/1

Remains a maiden after 19 runs, running to just a poor level when making the frame once from 3 starts over hurdles last summer. Tried over fences last 3 outings, reported to have bled when remote fourth of 6 at Sedgefield on final outing in October.

Form: 8493P4-

Lady Harriett^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 72

13/2

Sole success came in 2½m Ffos Las handicap back in November 2024. Pulled up on chase debut first start this year and has run poorly back over hurdles the last twice, again tending to jump right when fifth of 8 at Warwick (25f) 3 weeks ago.

Form: P/33PP-5

Millford Hill^t,v1²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: R Menzies| OR: 69

18/1

Point winner but little impact in 4 starts over hurdles this spring, tailed off making handicap debut at Perth (3m) in April. Fared no better sent chasing when pulled up at Hexham 23 days ago. Visor now the choice of headgear.

Form: P/0407-P

Non-Runners

Ushuaia Dancer⁵⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: Justin Landy J: Non Runner

Road To Rosley²

Weight: 10-9| Age: 9

T: J E Dixon J: Mr John Dixon

Forecasts

Ushuaia Dancer (11/4), Evenwood Sonofagun (3/1), Secret Secret (7/2), Celestial Reign (5/1), Lady Harriett (13/2), Shinealight (8/1), Masterminding (12/1), Achnamara (12/1), R Bernard (12/1), Millford Hill (18/1), Zuul (20/1), Road To Rosley (25/1), Imperial Imp (33/1)

SECRET SECRET is a 3-time C&D winner who will surely be primed for his return to this venue after a sharpener at Kelso 5 weeks ago. He gets the vote over Evenwood Sonofagun, who took the one division of this race last season and is back after a breathing operation for a stable among the winners. R Bernard is another interesting runner returning from over a year off.