Raceday LIVE – Lady Mendoza
Cartmel,
Mon 26 May 2025 14:55
Related horse(s):
Lady Mendoza
Lady Mendoza heads to Cartmel this afternoon as she makes her Coral Racing Club return in the Class 5 Handicap Hurdle over 2m6f (14:55).
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 makes her long awaited return to the track this weekend, as she heads to Cartmel to take on their 2m6f hurdle course.
She actually kicked off her last campaign at this meeting last year, where she finished third by just two lengths in a Mares' Hurdle over 3m1½f. She was returning from an extended break that day, and following the run she was given a shorter period of time off, after which Lady Mendoza headed north to Perth, where she put in another solid performance to finish 4th.
It was at that point that trainer, Rebecca Menzies, decided to switch Lady Mendoza to chasing, as she had been working well over the larger flights when schooling at home. Unfortunately, in the three runs over fences that followed, she couldn't replicate the quality she was showing at Howe Hills, and was tailed off three times in-a-row.
Lady Mendoza puts in some practice during a schooling session at home
Rebecca Menzies decided to return Lady Mendoza to hurdling for her next run, and she once again couldn't make a mark in the race under regular jockey, Nathan Moscrop, and was pulled up with three flights to go.
The suggestion following that race was to give Lady Mendoza and extended break, and she was put out in a field to enjoy some time off and hopefully give herself a little bit of a reset. If her homework is anything to go by, the extended break has done just the trick, as Lady Mendoza has been impressing the Menzies team at home in the build-up to her return to the track.
WATCH: Lady Mendoza puts in some work on the gallops ahead of her return
Lady Mendoza will run off a mark of 90, the lowest ratings she's carried into a hurdles race in her career, which could play to her advantage in the later stages of the 2m6f contest. She's partnered by former three-time Champion Jumps Jockey, Brian Hughes, who's ridden her three times prior to today, and knows the way she runs quite well at this point.
A full field of 14 are set to go to post, after a massive 39 horses were initially entered last week. Of her rivals today, two have won over today's course and distance before, Secret Secret and Pateen, and there are a further four former distance winners. The ground is set to be Good, which should suit Lady Mendoza as she's faced it several times in her career to date.
Raceday message from trainer Rebecca Menzies
"It's obviously been a while since she last ran, but she's had a lovely holiday and she's come back in with a brilliant attitude to her work, which didn't seem to quite be there at the end of last season. She's come back in fresh, well, happy and really enjoying her work. We worked her with My Friend Yeats at the end of last week, who went on to win at Cartmel on Saturday, and Lady Mendoza worked as well, if not slightly better, than he did before his race. From a homework point of view, I can't knock her, as she's going as well as she ever has been.
It's great that we've got Brian Hughes booked to ride as he gets on really well with Lady Mendoza. The ground should prove to be fine for her to, as any rain that comes in now will just loosen it slightly and not cause it to go bottomless.
There are very few negatives with Lady Mendoza going into this race, and if she lets herself race then she should give a good account of herself. Fingers crossed everything comes together for her and we have something to build on for the rest of the season.
I look forward to seeing plenty of members up at Cartmel this afternoon. Good luck!"
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, gives us his views on this afternoon's contest at Cartmel
Lady Mendoza lost her way when switched to fences last year, producing a string of disappointing efforts that carried over into her form when sent back over hurdles on her most recent start in December. As a result her handicap mark has plummeted and on a few bits of form she looks attractively handicapped. The hope has to be that a short break has rekindled her enthusiasm as if it has she’s capable of making an impact off her mark. Ground conditions will be ideal and some of her best efforts have been when fresh so for all she’s yet to win and her recent efforts have been poor, she’s not without hope of running well.
Military Tycoon arrives in form so should run well, while The Navigator is capable off this mark but might ideally want a slightly shorter trip. In summary, Military Tycoon and The Navigator look the horses to beat but Lady Mendoza has a clear each-way chance if coming back to form.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Rebecca Menzies is in stunning form right now, with a two-week strike-rate of 27%, sending out four winners from her 15 runners which included winners over the weekend here at Cartmel and at Kelso. The County Durham-based trainer has had eight career winners at Cartmel, of which one has come this season from her two runners there since the start of May.
Brian Hughes has been in similarly excellent form over the last two weeks, with 5 winners from his 22 rides, including a double on the day at Kelso yesterday. He typically does well when riding for Rebecca Menzies, winning 30 times in his career for the trainer including one of his two winners at Kelso yesterday. The three-time Champion Jumps Jockey also has a great record at Cartmel over the course of his career, with an impressive strike-rate of 15%, however he is still searching for his first victory there this season.
Lady Mendoza's Owners for the Day
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 latest run at Cartmel this afternoon.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £6,250 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,251 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,494 | 3rd: £747 | 4th: £373 | 5th: £186 | 6th: £96.13
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 14:55 at Cartmel – click here to find out more.
CARTMEL 14:55 – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 14:55 to watch Lady Mendoza's debut 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 makes her long awaited return to the track this weekend, as she heads to Cartmel to take on their 2m6f hurdle course.
She actually kicked off her last campaign at this meeting last year, where she finished third by just two lengths in a Mares' Hurdle over 3m1½f. She was returning from an extended break that day, and following the run she was given a shorter period of time off, after which Lady Mendoza headed north to Perth, where she put in another solid performance to finish 4th.
It was at that point that trainer, Rebecca Menzies, decided to switch Lady Mendoza to chasing, as she had been working well over the larger flights when schooling at home. Unfortunately, in the three runs over fences that followed, she couldn't replicate the quality she was showing at Howe Hills, and was tailed off three times in-a-row.
Lady Mendoza puts in some practice during a schooling session at home
Rebecca Menzies decided to return Lady Mendoza to hurdling for her next run, and she once again couldn't make a mark in the race under regular jockey, Nathan Moscrop, and was pulled up with three flights to go.
The suggestion following that race was to give Lady Mendoza and extended break, and she was put out in a field to enjoy some time off and hopefully give herself a little bit of a reset. If her homework is anything to go by, the extended break has done just the trick, as Lady Mendoza has been impressing the Menzies team at home in the build-up to her return to the track.
WATCH: Lady Mendoza puts in some work on the gallops ahead of her return
A full field of 14 are set to go to post, after a massive 39 horses were initially entered last week. Of her rivals today, two have won over today's course and distance before, Secret Secret and Pateen, and there are a further four former distance winners. The ground is set to be Good, which should suit Lady Mendoza as she's faced it several times in her career to date.
Raceday message from trainer Rebecca Menzies
"It's obviously been a while since she last ran, but she's had a lovely holiday and she's come back in with a brilliant attitude to her work, which didn't seem to quite be there at the end of last season. She's come back in fresh, well, happy and really enjoying her work. We worked her with My Friend Yeats at the end of last week, who went on to win at Cartmel on Saturday, and Lady Mendoza worked as well, if not slightly better, than he did before his race. From a homework point of view, I can't knock her, as she's going as well as she ever has been.
It's great that we've got Brian Hughes booked to ride as he gets on really well with Lady Mendoza. The ground should prove to be fine for her to, as any rain that comes in now will just loosen it slightly and not cause it to go bottomless.
There are very few negatives with Lady Mendoza going into this race, and if she lets herself race then she should give a good account of herself. Fingers crossed everything comes together for her and we have something to build on for the rest of the season.
I look forward to seeing plenty of members up at Cartmel this afternoon. Good luck!"
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, gives us his views on this afternoon's contest at Cartmel
Lady Mendoza lost her way when switched to fences last year, producing a string of disappointing efforts that carried over into her form when sent back over hurdles on her most recent start in December. As a result her handicap mark has plummeted and on a few bits of form she looks attractively handicapped. The hope has to be that a short break has rekindled her enthusiasm as if it has she’s capable of making an impact off her mark. Ground conditions will be ideal and some of her best efforts have been when fresh so for all she’s yet to win and her recent efforts have been poor, she’s not without hope of running well.
Military Tycoon arrives in form so should run well, while The Navigator is capable off this mark but might ideally want a slightly shorter trip. In summary, Military Tycoon and The Navigator look the horses to beat but Lady Mendoza has a clear each-way chance if coming back to form.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Rebecca Menzies is in stunning form right now, with a two-week strike-rate of 27%, sending out four winners from her 15 runners which included winners over the weekend here at Cartmel and at Kelso. The County Durham-based trainer has had eight career winners at Cartmel, of which one has come this season from her two runners there since the start of May.
Brian Hughes has been in similarly excellent form over the last two weeks, with 5 winners from his 22 rides, including a double on the day at Kelso yesterday. He typically does well when riding for Rebecca Menzies, winning 30 times in his career for the trainer including one of his two winners at Kelso yesterday. The three-time Champion Jumps Jockey also has a great record at Cartmel over the course of his career, with an impressive strike-rate of 15%, however he is still searching for his first victory there this season.
Lady Mendoza's Owners for the Day
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 latest 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 £6,250 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,251 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,494 | 3rd: £747 | 4th: £373 | 5th: £186 | 6th: £96.13
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 14:55 at Cartmel – click here to find out more.
CARTMEL 14:55 – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 14:55 to watch Lady Mendoza's debut run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
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