The 2.40 at Carlisle looks an interesting race tomorrow. Astarador won over course and distance a couple of weeks ago and he sets the standard. He came back from serious injury to win the Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh beating Border Tale who was getting more than a stone from the winner. Raysrock, a winner over hurdles at Kelso and Hexham last season, looks the main threat and I wouldn’t rule out Lease End either. He fell two out in the fixed brush hurdles final at Haydock last season and had earlier won over hurdles at Wetherby and Doncaster.
Super Road Train has a good record at Carlisle and should go well in the 3.45.
Tot O’Whiskey jumped well when second over two and a half miles at Carlisle recently. He finished strongly that day and the extra distance in the 4.15 should suit him. An intriguing runner in this race is Nine de Sivola who missed last season through injury. The season before though he had finished runner up in the Eider Chase, and the Irish and Scottish Nationals so he is some novice. He is coming back from a long absence from the track however.
I tipped Max Bygraves when he won at Kelso earlier in the month but he has not been done any favours by the handicapper and he looks to have a lot on his plate off top weight in the Ludlow 5.30. Earlier on the Ludlow card Bid Art could run well in the 2.20 at a big price.
Wing Play is the only runner from my flat list to follow. He goes in the 9.20 at Great Leighs.
Over at Thurles Let Yourself Go is my section in the 2.15. He is very highly rated by connections and is fit from a run of the flat. Carrigeen King should come on from his recent 4th at Limerick and gets my vote in the 2.45.
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Karen Davies. See links.
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