Cartmel Spring Bank Holiday Monday

CARTMEL – Monday May 25th

Going – Good (Good To Soft on the woodside)

Drying meant the Bank Holiday Monday card was run on pretty decent ground, with the customary moisture lingering under the trees.

3.25 2m 5½f Class 4 Beginners’ Chase

The chases at this meeting would normally but run-of-the-mill, but on this occasion we saw the debut of an interesting chasing prospect in Knockara Beau.

The old adage that ‘class will out’ survives after this event, but only just since KNOCKARA BEAU made a determined attempt at demolishing the Cartmel fence-builder’s handiwork. He jumped some fences proficiently but made a pig’s ear of just as many. The fences took their toll as it took George Charlton’s gelding time to see off his closest rivals once turned for home. Knockara Beau was a decent novice hurdler but he needs to get his jumping act together to reach the same level over fences. He is an interesting prospect for the autumn campaign nevertheless.
SOTOVIK has a poor completion record over fences, but he’s clearly possessed of ability and performed creditably here. He took the lead round the final bend, but hadn’t enough in reserve to hold the winner. It would be hard to crib too much at this effort and he will be interesting back in handicap company, though there might be a minor novice event for the taking.
STOP THE SHOW ran to his best measured against Sotovik. He didn’t have the pace of the first two from the start of the straight. His previous form suggests a longer trip and stiffer track are what will suit him best.
TULLY HILL led for a while before giving way against vastly superior opposition.
FEELING PECKISH, rated 4lbs worse than Tully Hill at 64, was a long way behind.
NO PANIC ran out at the water first time round, perhaps distracted by the layout that passes the ‘wrong’ end of the straight.

4.10 2m 5 ½ f Maiden Hunters’ Chase

Three pulled clear of the remainder in this event.

ACCORDION ROILELET, a winner of an Open Maiden and an Intermediate in points from four efforts, was held up early and brought to challenge two out. He stayed on under pressure to win nicely. He failed in a Restricted which shows that although he has ability there is a relatively low ceiling to it Rules wise. He now goes up for sale and may be of interest to some stables off a handicap mark of 86.
DOUBLE GEM has run two decent races in maiden company. He led going well four out, but was one paced once headed two out. His career to date suggests one unable to raise his game at the business end.
DIX HUIT CYBORG didn’t settle particularly well early on probably paid for that in the latter stages, though he had every chance two out. He won a point-to-point at Fakenham and may be happiest on a sharp track.
KNOCKABOUL KING plugged on from the rear for fourth but that’s basically as good as he is at this level.
BENNY BOY led from the third to three out but gave the latter a thump and quickly went backwards. He’s probably best a two miles, though there aren’t many such events in the hunters’ calendar these days.
FATHER OWEN, a dual pointing win, jumped poorly and was held from a mile out as was BROWN’S BECK who is a consistent but exposed pointer.
LOLIPOP won his Members’ at Aspatria but found this way beyond her. His general pointing form suggests a venture into National Hunt racing was optimistic.
OVERJOYED won on the same card as Lolipop at Aspatria, though the former won with more in hand on occasion. It showed.
BROXPARISBOULEVARD raced prominently but was tiring when hitting the last and almost coming to a standstill. He came home in his own time after that.
HEATHFIELD FLYER, off the track since May ‘08, nearly dislodged Josh Guerriero at the second but made enough progress to be prominent by the tenth at which fence he took a heavy fall. He has ability but also has jumping issues.
WAS I RIGHT jumped poorly and his rider gave up the struggle before the tenth obstacle.