13:35 Carlisle

Sunday 17 December 2023

All11:5012:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Secret Garden And GD's Pooley Bridge Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 5m 48.61s

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Selected odds by:

Christopher Wood²¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 130WS

5/2

Useful winning hurdler at his best and, having a second try over fences, ran well when runner-up both starts in January. Wasn't able to progress from those efforts when fourth of 7 in handicap at Ayr in April, but he could yet do better in this sphere having had another wind op.

Form: 260/224-

Scipion^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 126

25/1

Built on earlier chasing promise when winning handicap at Lingfield (23.5f) in February and good second at Kempton in April. Hasn't been in the same form since, albeit facing a stiff task when well held on second start for his current yard last time. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 1P2-545

Dubai Days^h²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 124| C| D

6/1

Looked better than ever last season, winning at this course (20f) in March before a fine second at Ayr (20.5f) the following month. Unsuited by the step up in distance when sixth at Haydock (25.6f) last time, so he's an interesting contender back down in trip/grade.

Form: 2312-56

Universal Folly³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 124| C

9/2

Completed a hat-trick over fences at Hexham (20.1f) in October and continued in good heart when runner-up at Aintree (25f) on his latest outing, beaten only by a smart prospect. Reliable sort and he can resume winning ways.

Form: 12-1112

Mulberry Hill^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 124| C| D

9/2

Fair handicap hurdler who produced a career-best effort on her third chase start when winning at Kempton (20.5f) last month, scoring readily having travelled powerfully. Looked potentially useful last time so she's not taken lightly.

Form: 8-F4R31

Grey Skies¹¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 120

15/2

Fortunate winner at Sedgefield in March but there was nothing lucky about his success at Perth (20.1f) the following month. Shaped better than his form figures suggest during the summer, seeming stretched by the longer trip last time, so he's not written off after a break.

Form: 11-2654

Ujumpthelastuwin⁴⁸²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 115

100/1

Without a win over fences but hinted at a revival when third in maiden at Ballinrobe (23f) last August, faring best of those held up despite a typically mixed round of jumping. Off 16 months ahead of first run for yard after leaving Gavin Patrick Cromwell.

Form: 6F9/753-

Red Happy^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 110

4/1

Returned to winning ways at Exeter (19.2f) in October and, having subsequently left David Pipe, followed up under a well-judged ride at Kelso (21.6f) last month. Remains well treated on old form so could make a bold bid for the hat-trick.

Form: 365211

Forecasts

Christopher Wood (5/2), Red Happy (4/1), Universal Folly (9/2), Mulberry Hill (9/2), Dubai Days (6/1), Grey Skies (15/2), Scipion (25/1), Ujumpthelastuwin (100/1)

UNIVERSAL FOLLY may have had his winning run ended when second at Aintree last month, but he lost little in defeat to the very promising Giovinco (runner-up in a Grade 2 next time) so he is taken to record his fourth success of the season. Mulberry Hill proved better than ever when scoring at Kempton last time and is feared most, ahead of Dubai Days.