Racecard | 14:40 Happy Birthday Geoffrey And Graham Mclean Handicap Hurdle | Carlisle

HOLIDAY COCKTAIL, Super Baby and Quatro Pierji make the shortlist here with Holiday Cocktail taken to score. Super Baby won twice last season but both those successes came over fences. He is slightly better treated over hurdles, though he has only one win in eight starts over the smaller obstacles, and this may just be a warm up for a fencing campaign. With doubts over the race fitness of many of the field, Quatro Pierji appeals as at least he has a recent outing under his belt. Still a maiden, his form however has been progressive, finishing second on his last two starts, and he can take advantage of a decent handicap mark and hit the frame. Holiday Cocktail has only been seen out twice this year, finishing well beaten in two flat efforts. However, they were relatively recent, and his earlier hurdling form entitles him to play a leading role here, a close third at Bangor a year ago and only 1lb higher here. Holiday Cocktail can prove too strong for his opponents.

Formwatch

Quito Du Tresor (FR) 33-1 (11-1) With leader, lost place approaching 2 out, weakened last, 10th of 11, well behind Hello Nod (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.

Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) In touch, reminders 4th, ridden to chase winner 10th to next, soon outpaced, 11 lengths down in 5th when fell heavily 4 out, in a race won by Daldini (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.

Marcel (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Close up on outside, disputing 3rd when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Hello Nod (10-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct, 11 ran.

Broadway Star (FR) 5-4fav (10-11) Mid-division, smooth headway and every chance 3 out, ridden and blundered next, gradually weakened, 4th of 14, 11l behind Fortysecond Street (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.

Super Baby (FR) 11-4 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, driven to lead again close home, won at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating First Boy (11-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.

Dinarius 10-3 (10-10) Raced keenly, mid-division, headway and in touch 3rd, ridden and outpaced 2 out, disputing 4th and held when fell last, in a race won by War Party (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Aug, 10 ran.

Cash Man (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and hit last, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 22l behind Benmadigan (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.

Golden Future 15-2 (10-5) Disputed lead, led from 3rd, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 18, 35l behind Officer Krupke (10-12) at Listowel 2m 3yo hdl gd in Sep '06.

Quatro Pierji (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Sambulando (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gs in May.

Tom's Toybox 8-1 (11-7) Held up, blundered 2nd, quickly pulled up, in a race won by Striking Article (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct, 8 ran.

Slavonic Lake 40-1 (10-4) Always prominent, challenged 5th, led before 3 out, drew clear after next, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec '07 beating Stellenbosch (11-2) by 5l, 15 ran.

Holiday Cocktail 4-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Red Admiral (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct '08.

Houston Dynimo (IRE) 11-4fav (10-9) Held up, headway before 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 10, 13l behind Well Disguised (9-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.

Scale Bank (IRE) 10-3fav (11-11) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Cast Iron Casey (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.

Bollin Ruth 9-1 (10-1) Towards rear, hit 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 7, well behind Gringo (11-4) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.

Racecards

14:40 Carlisle

Happy Birthday Geoffrey And Graham Mclean Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

In depth

Verdict

Formwatch