The racing at this time of year is never of the highest quality with Cheltenham looming next week but there were a couple of taking performances at Carlisle this afternoon. The novice hurdle looked likely to involve Tara Royal and McMurragh but the latter unseated at the second and in the end Tara Royal ran out a comfortable winner. A former winning pointer in Ireland he should make a chaser next season.
The beginners chase was named after Jools Holland and Alison Moyet and Graham Lee certainly got a tune out of the winner Middleton Dene. Lee was hard at work a long way out and should be in the frame for the Channel 4 ride of the month. Middleton Dene was winning for the first time over fences at the third attempt. He is apparently rather a fragile sort and needs a gap between his races.
The Grand Military Gold Cup is run at Sandown tomorrow. Sue Smith sends Garleton down for this. He will be ridden by Erica Bridge who was the first female commanding officer of the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery. She also holds honours degrees in both French and Spanish. Garleton is around 14/1 at the moment and has an each way chance.
Tara Taylor won at Ffos Las last month and the second that day has won since. She should go well in the 4.05 despite having gone up nearly a stone in the weights.
At Wincanton the race commentator could be in for a hard time should Keckerrockernixes and Tenitemsplustoast fight out the finish in the 5.30!
Today’s picture, of former Cheltenham hero Kicking King, is courtesy of the artist Sarah Aspinall.
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