Cark Manor Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 6m 33.03s

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Selected odds by:

Western Run^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: R M Smith| OR: 120

12/1

Point winner earlier in the year and while he's probably not the force of old he's down in class here.

Form: 4131-25

Dee Star^p,t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: G Hanmer| OR: 117| CD

9/2

Has run here a dozen times - mostly over staying distances - and never finished outside the frame, primed to perfection as he proved a different proposition to land a gamble in 29.4f veterans' handicap chase last month, finding plenty under this rider. Obvious chance despite career-high mark.

Form: 2112-51

Jony Max^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 113

9/2

Admirably consistent in 2022 and back from 6-month absence when creditable second in Norfolk National Handicap at Fakenham (29.1f, good). Brought down back over hurdles 33 days ago and capable of making his mark back chasing.

Form: 4444-2B

Breaking The Ice²⁰⁸

9/1

Had a splendid run in 2021, winning 5 handicap chases (including over this C&D), and scored first time back at Hexham in the autumn. Probably high enough in the weights back from 6 months off this time around after wind op.

Form: 114/18P-

Zumbi^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 109| BF| C

4/1

Novice hurdle winner here last summer and shaped better than the distance beaten suggests on last month's chase debut here having been well supported, making his move sooner than ideal. Open to improvement and this longer trip will suit. Lots to like.

Form: 3133P-4

Jelski^p³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 109| C

14/1

Won over hurdles at Haydock and this track (2¾m) last year. Fairly encouraging return over fences here recently and his mark is slipping all the while. Goes back up in trip.

Form: 523UP-5

Diegos Way^p¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁷⁾| T: C Collins| OR: 103

9/2

Generally held form well since winning 3m Bangor handicap chase in October and return to this longer trip will suit. Can go well.

Form: 235F-54

Grange Ranger^t,v⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 103

6/1

Veteran who sprang a 28/1-surprise at Wetherby (extended 3m) in November but patchy form since, jumping poorly even by his standards at Hexham on Sunday in this headgear.

Form: 7P4-543

Forecasts

Zumbi (4/1), Jony Max (9/2), Dee Star (9/2), Diegos Way (9/2), Grange Ranger (6/1), Breaking The Ice (9/1), Western Run (12/1), Jelski (14/1)

ZUMBI made an encouraging start over fences here last month and looks sure to improve over this longer trip, so gets the vote over the admirable Dee Star, who is becoming a cult-hero at Cartmel after recording another victory (now 4 wins and 6 seconds here) last month but now finds himself on a career-high mark. Jony Max and Diegos Way are also in the mix.