21:31 Well that’s it from Cartmel a lovely course to visit, although from a working point of view rather difficult because the viewing is pretty poor.

A reasonable crowd here tonight, although some may have been put off by the weather.

From Cartmel a very good evening.

21:22 Our easiest winner of the evening in our final race as Ardesia comes home the comfortable ten length winner, having been with the pace throughout, tracking leader Hernando Cortes.

The latter held the lead until coming under pressure two out, at which point the eventual winner pulled clear, ending the race as a contest.

21:04 Our final contest is the Andrea Robinson Celebration Handicap Hurdle, in which ten line up and we have three non-runners.

21:01 Well a much better contest this time, run at a decent pace.

Once things settled down it was Grand Award who set the reasonable pace. He was joined briefly by Marieschi, however the latter was let down by his very erratic jumping and whenever he hit the front he lost position with a poor jump.

Daniel’s Dream vied for the lead but was unable to get his head in front at any time.
Sir Frank was pulling quite hard early on and took a while to settle down, once he did he tracked the front pair until moving forward as they came down the back straight.

By two out Sir Frank had hit the front, with Duty Free coming from mid-division as the challenger.

Grand Award’s challenge was about to come to an end and Kingsmoss briefly looked to be a challenger but ended up flattering to deceive.

Turning for home it was a two horse race with Sir Frank holding the advantage over Duty Free and although the latter fought all the way to the line Sir Frank had enough in hand to hold on by half-a-length.

The pair were ten lengths clear of third placed Beat The Shower.

20:34 More on the Adrian Lane situation, he has indeed picked up another whip ban, this time two days, so he has picked up a total of 13 days for his first two rides.

20:33 Race six is the extended 2m 1f, Geoff’s Last Hurdle Maiden Hurdle in which eleven go to post, red Dagger and Swiss Guard being the non-runners.

20:31 With all the talk of Racing For Change and making racing more attractive for punters this contest was nothing short of a disgrace and you can bet your bottom dollar the stewards will do absolutely nothing about the shenanigans at the start of the contest.

Basically the field set of at a pace which was slower than walking pace and they were so slow coming to the first fence it is a wonder the field actually manage to cross the fence.

Even after the first the pace did not increase significantly, ditto the third where Springfield Raki barely got over the fence.

Mutual Friend then set what little pace their was, with Thumbs Up in second spot.

These two held the lead going out on the second circuit.

Eventually the pace did pick up with Mutual Friend still leading although Thumbs Up, well backed up in the closing exchanges, was looking a threat.

On the long run-in it was all change as Thumbs Up emerged in front of the favourite and although there was a battle to the line Thumbs Up had enough in hand to record  a ¾ length victory.

However it was a vey unsatisfactory contest and with races like this how are we expected to attract newcomers to the sport.      

20:07 Race five is our final chase and also our smallest field with just the five competing for the extended 2m 1f Royal Oak Inn Novices’ Chase.

19:56 Before racing my wife asked me for some pointers and I had any suggestions and I said to her look for horses who have travelled a long way. What a shame I did not follow my own advice as the main contest saw an Irish 1-2.

The overseas horses were not seen much in the early stages, with Copper’s Gold setting the early pace with, first of all, Sam Cruise then Gershwinner challenging.

First of the Irish challengers to make some progress was Onthegoagain, who was in fourth place as they went out on their third and final circuit.

Of the front runners Sam Cruise was first do wave the white flag.

By two out it was all change with Copper’s Gold holding the lead, just, Gershwinner going backwards but the Irish raiders Onthegoagain and Volcanic Ash (who had been settled in rear) were serious threats.

By the last the raiders were in front with Volcanic Ash having the advantage over Onthegoagain and he never looked in any danger as he pulled eight lengths clear of his compatriot.

The home contingent were totally outclassed with The Artful Fox eventually coming home best of the home team, albeit a remote third some 16 lengths behind the runner-up.  

19:31 This is not a good evening for Adrian Lane. He has picked up a nine day ban for his whip use in the opener, plus he has picked up a two day careless riding ban for his ride in the second and we have unconfirmed reports there may also be another whip ban in the offing.

19:28 Nothing of any note to report from the parade ring, all the runners looked fit.

Sam Cruise, who can be fractious in the preliminaries, seemed relaxed.

19:23 Race four is our feature contest the 3m 2f Sticky Toffee Pudding Intermediate Handicap Chase with ten lining up.

19:19 A race where Crofton Arch set the pace leading for most of the contest, until challenged two out.

Peak Seasons who had been in second behind Crofton Arch and the favourite Storm Surge both then led the challenge, although in the case of the favourite it was a classic example of flattering to deceive.

More impressive was Shulmin, settled towards the rear before making steady progress on the final circuit and hitting the front on the very long chase run-in.

Emotive was another making good late progress but it was too late to catch Shulmin who came home seven lengths clear.

Long time leader Crofton Arch was a further nine lengths back in third.

The favourite came home fifth, behind Sycho Fred.

18:54 Race three is our opening chase the Burlington Stone Handicap Chase over the extended 2m 5f.

Eight face the starter with two non-runners.

18:45 This is turning into a good evening for favourite backers as Dunaskin takes the second but he gave backers a few palpitations as, to be kind, he ran in snatches.

Josephine Malines set the pace, initially with an uncontested lead but joined by Dunaskin at the fourth – the pair well clear of Danny Zuko and Lets Go Girls, the remainder a couple of lengths behind.

By the sixth Dunaskin had his head in front, although coming to the last he looked to be beaten as Josephine Malines rallied to hit the front again although this revival was short lived as on the run-in Lets Go Girls really let go and opened up a couple of lengths lead.

As I said earlier it is a long run-in here and all of a sudden Dunasking suddenly decided to play ball again, running on in devastating fashion, recording a 2¾ length victory over Lets Go Girls.

There were no bids for the winner.

18:25 Race two is the extended 2m 1f Roofing Consultants Ltd Selling Hurdle with nine lining up, the absentees being Applaude and Shinkansen.

18:18 No surprise in confirming Adrian Lane is meeting with the stewards.

18:17 There is a very long run-in at Cartmel and it is a distinct advantage to be in front  at the last fence or flight.

In the opener the favourite Identity Parade had the advantage with only Woodmore, Stand Clear and Atlantic Coast looking to be the only threats.

As it turned out the only threat came from Stand Clear who ran the leader close but could not get his head in front. Having said that conditional rider Adrian Lane on the winner may well find himself in hot water for his whip use.

Identity Parade led from flag fall travelling at a steady pace, the race was run ten seconds slower than standard.

The runner up was settled in rear before making his challenge.

Third spot went to Woodmore, who was settled just behind the leaders for most of the contest.

18:00 Atlantic Coast is all at sea, drifting in the betting from 15/2 out to 12/1

17:44 Our opening contest is the 2m 6f County Refreshments Novices’ Hurdle with ten going to post, Flying Feathers being the non-runner.

Nothing of much to report from the parade ring, except Nobetter Buachaill was getting a little excited in the saddling box.

17:19 Another non-runner, Applaude is out of the second.

16:50 The rain is stopping and we have a going change, it is now Good, although a couple of jocks have suggested it may be good to soft by the woods.

16:25 They are taking a look at the course at the moment, no concerns about racing taking place but a going change is highly likely.

16:04 It is still raining, although not as bad as it was.

14:23 It has been raining quite steadily for the past hour and shows little sign of relenting, this must ease the ground surely .

13:20 Good afternoon from Cartmel, where it is currently raining and the going has now eased to Good to Firm.

We currently have nine non-runners, details on the right and we get underway at 18:00

07:26 It has been a dry night overnight and the forecast has improved with just light rain expected, clearing by lunchtime.

Our suggestions are:-

20:20 Friday

Advance report:-

Going

Good to Firm, Good in places

1 1/2mms rain overnight. Forecast: Dry and bright Friday. 10 to 15 mms rain expected from 6am Saturday until late afternoon, then dry but overcast Saturday evening

No further watering due to Saturdays forecast

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

18:00
10 Flying Feathers (going - 11:32)

18:30
2 Applaude (going - 17:13)
6 Shinkansen (travel - 08:51)

19:00
5 Native Coll (going - 08:50)
8 Reasonably Sure (lame - VC 13:04)

19:35
9 Orphelin Collonges (going - 11:04)
11 The Green Hat (going - 10:19)

20:40
10 Red Dagger (bruised foot - VC 11:03)
11 Swiss Guard (infected foot - VC 11:31)

21:10
4 Crystal Runner (lame - SC 12:06)
7 Saddlers' Supreme (going 18:59)
11 Everaard (going - 18:17)

Results

18:00 Novices' Hurdle 2m 6f

18:30 Selling Hurdle 2m 1f 110yds

19:00 Handicap Chase 2m 5f 110yds

19:35 Handicap Chase 3m 2f

20:10 Novices' Chase 2m 1f 110yds

20:40 Maiden Hurdle 2m 1f 110yds

21:10 Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f 110yds