Raceday LIVE – Lady Mendoza
Cartmel,
Sat 23 Aug 2025 15:20
Related horse(s):
Lady Mendoza
Lady Mendoza heads back to Cartmel this afternoon for her fourth appearance at the track, as she runs in the Class 5 Handicap Hurdle over 3m1½f (15:20).
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Lady Mendoza returns to Cartmel this afternoon, for the third time this season, as she steps back up in distance to take on the extended 3m1f trip. The first two runs she had this season were both at the Lake District track, after spending almost six months off the track through the winter and spring months. The break looked to have done her a lot of good as she stayed on well in the first of those contests, albeit over a shorter distance of 2m6f, finishing a solid fourth and picking up some prize money for her Owners for the Day in the process.
WATCH: Brian Hughes reflects on Lady Mendoza's seasonal debut at Cartmel
Unfortunately, she hasn't been able to continue that improvement in the two runs that have come since, finishing sixth back at Cartmel before a trip to Uttoxeter last month where she finished 10th of the 16 runners, 30 lengths behind the winner after being eased down towards the end of the contest by jockey William Maggs.
Lady Mendoza faces nine rivals this afternoon, with three former Cartmel winners in the field. Top weight Dusky Days is one of those previous winners, having scored here two starts ago before following up with a close second place finish over 2m6f last time out. Today will mark the first occasion that he's stepped up in trip to a distance of over three miles, which could bring about even more improvement. Belles Benefit and Big Bee Hive are the other former Cartmel winners in the race, as well as being victorious over today's distance in the past.
The ground is set to be Good on the day at Cartmel, which Lady Mendoza has plenty of experience of running on, although it's brought about mixed results over the course of her career. Our eight-year-old mare is also set to wear blinkers for the first time in her career, in order to keep her focussed. If they can do the trick and keep her straight, then we could see a better run from Lady Mendoza this afternoon.
WATCH: Rebecca Menzies gives us an update on Lady Mendoza before setting off for Cartmel
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews this afternoon's contest at Cartmel and gives his verdict on the race
It’s hard to be confident about Lady Mendoza getting her head in front for the first time though hopes will be pinned on another change in headgear was perhaps more importantly a bit more of a break than going into her last two starts. I remain fairly convinced that she’s at her best when fresh on the back of a bit of a break and though I’m not certain 38 days between runs is enough, it looks more suitable that the quicker turnarounds on her last two outings. Brian Hughes is back about and she’s at a track where she’s twice run well in the past and on ground that suits well so there are positives if she’s on her A-game.
Her proven stamina looks a big plus, especially given doubts about the trip around a few of her rivals, including Dusky Days and Findthetime who are among the more likely types from a handicapping perspective. Findthetime looks a doubtful stayer but I’d be more positive about Dusky Days seeing it out given she often finds plenty and she is the relative of a strong stayer. She’s been in good form around here of late and looks the one to beat, with recent Stratford winner Moro Rock looking one of the stronger contenders among the rest.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Rebecca Menzies has had a quiet start to the National Hunt season, sending out only 56 runners over the course of the last three months and returning with four winners, two of those coming at Cartmel. Those two winners in the Lake District took her up to nine total victories at the track in her career, with Lady Mendoza looking to be her tenth.
Brian Hughes is in decent enough form right now, following the three week break in the jumps calendar. He's picked up two wins in the last six days since returning from only 10 rides. The northern based jockey has had 81 career winners at Cartmel, of which three have come from 20 rides this season. For Rebecca Menzies, Hughes has a solid strike-rate of 16% and 30 winners with one of those victories arriving this season.
Lady Mendoza's Owners for the Day
Lady Mendoza's Owners for the Day with Rebecca Menzies and Brian Hughes at Cartmel in June
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Lady Mendoza's run at Cartmel this afternoon.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £7,350 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,881 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,786 | 3rd: £893 | 4th: £446 | 5th: £222
Pipped At The Post – Exclusive for Members
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a neck or less behind the winner in today's 15:20 at Cartmel – click here to find out more.
15:20 CARTMEL – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 15:20 to watch Lady Mendoza's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Lady Mendoza returns to Cartmel this afternoon, for the third time this season, as she steps back up in distance to take on the extended 3m1f trip. The first two runs she had this season were both at the Lake District track, after spending almost six months off the track through the winter and spring months. The break looked to have done her a lot of good as she stayed on well in the first of those contests, albeit over a shorter distance of 2m6f, finishing a solid fourth and picking up some prize money for her Owners for the Day in the process.
WATCH: Brian Hughes reflects on Lady Mendoza's seasonal debut at Cartmel
Unfortunately, she hasn't been able to continue that improvement in the two runs that have come since, finishing sixth back at Cartmel before a trip to Uttoxeter last month where she finished 10th of the 16 runners, 30 lengths behind the winner after being eased down towards the end of the contest by jockey William Maggs.
Lady Mendoza faces nine rivals this afternoon, with three former Cartmel winners in the field. Top weight Dusky Days is one of those previous winners, having scored here two starts ago before following up with a close second place finish over 2m6f last time out. Today will mark the first occasion that he's stepped up in trip to a distance of over three miles, which could bring about even more improvement. Belles Benefit and Big Bee Hive are the other former Cartmel winners in the race, as well as being victorious over today's distance in the past.
The ground is set to be Good on the day at Cartmel, which Lady Mendoza has plenty of experience of running on, although it's brought about mixed results over the course of her career. Our eight-year-old mare is also set to wear blinkers for the first time in her career, in order to keep her focussed. If they can do the trick and keep her straight, then we could see a better run from Lady Mendoza this afternoon.
WATCH: Rebecca Menzies gives us an update on Lady Mendoza before setting off for Cartmel
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews this afternoon's contest at Cartmel and gives his verdict on the race
It’s hard to be confident about Lady Mendoza getting her head in front for the first time though hopes will be pinned on another change in headgear was perhaps more importantly a bit more of a break than going into her last two starts. I remain fairly convinced that she’s at her best when fresh on the back of a bit of a break and though I’m not certain 38 days between runs is enough, it looks more suitable that the quicker turnarounds on her last two outings. Brian Hughes is back about and she’s at a track where she’s twice run well in the past and on ground that suits well so there are positives if she’s on her A-game.
Her proven stamina looks a big plus, especially given doubts about the trip around a few of her rivals, including Dusky Days and Findthetime who are among the more likely types from a handicapping perspective. Findthetime looks a doubtful stayer but I’d be more positive about Dusky Days seeing it out given she often finds plenty and she is the relative of a strong stayer. She’s been in good form around here of late and looks the one to beat, with recent Stratford winner Moro Rock looking one of the stronger contenders among the rest.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Rebecca Menzies has had a quiet start to the National Hunt season, sending out only 56 runners over the course of the last three months and returning with four winners, two of those coming at Cartmel. Those two winners in the Lake District took her up to nine total victories at the track in her career, with Lady Mendoza looking to be her tenth.
Brian Hughes is in decent enough form right now, following the three week break in the jumps calendar. He's picked up two wins in the last six days since returning from only 10 rides. The northern based jockey has had 81 career winners at Cartmel, of which three have come from 20 rides this season. For Rebecca Menzies, Hughes has a solid strike-rate of 16% and 30 winners with one of those victories arriving this season.
Lady Mendoza's Owners for the Day
Lady Mendoza's Owners for the Day with Rebecca Menzies and Brian Hughes at Cartmel in June
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Lady Mendoza's run at Cartmel this afternoon.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
- Free racecourse entry
- Access to the Owners & Trainers enclosure
- Access to the Parade Ring before the race
- Meet Lady Mendoza and the Rebecca Menzies team
- Take home a 10% share of any prize money she wins
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £7,350 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,881 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,786 | 3rd: £893 | 4th: £446 | 5th: £222
Pipped At The Post – Exclusive for Members
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a neck or less behind the winner in today's 15:20 at Cartmel – click here to find out more.
15:20 CARTMEL – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 15:20 to watch Lady Mendoza's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
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