14:40 Carlisle

Wednesday 23 August 2017

All13:3514:0514:4015:1515:5016:2516:5517:25

Tommy Johnstone 65th Birthday Handicap

Off time: 14:44 | Winning time: 1m 16.01s

(6)

Kody Ridge^h²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 71| D

14/1

Bought by current connections after winning a Leicester seller he followed up on his first run for his new by winning a Ripon handicap. May well have found a busy period catching up with him of late and best watched after two poor efforts.

Form: 811305

(2)

Haworth^b¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽⁵⁾| T: J D Bethell| OR: 70| D

9/2

Managed to build on a promising outing on his penultimate start when winning at Haydock last time showing a good attitude to beat one who had been in good form. First-time blinkers are retained here and he should remain competitive off 4lb higher.

Form: 855351

(10)

Roys Dream³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Sullivan| T: Paul Collins| OR: 68| D

9/1

Looked to be running into form this year until an abortive attempt last time out although the 7f trip may well have tested her. Back to a more suitable trip she may well yet be able to build on her earlier form this year.

Form: 34-5320

(9)

Metisian²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Nolan| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 68| BF| D

7/2

Dropping back to 5f and poorly drawn won't have shown him in a good light last time and he's far better judged on his win at Doncaster and third at Hamilton. Looks as though he capable of taking a hand off this mark with the stiff track sure to suit.

Form: 95-4134

(3)

Sulafah^p,h¹⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Neil Farley| T: S G West| OR: 66

66/1

Formerly with Roger Varian she's going backwards rather than forwards for this yard and hopes are pinned on going handicapping here with those hopes being high.

Form: 028-237

(1)

Uncle Charlie⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 65| D

18/1

Yard have struggled for winners this year and this one was one of the few that they have had scoring at Thirsk in June off 3lb lower. Didn't run badly last time (probably paid for a sharp move into contention) but still looks to have a tough task.

Form: 06-8107

(7)

Yes You⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 60| D

9/4

Both her wins have come over 6f and maybe she found the 7f at Ayr last time just a little bit too testing. All the signs are that she still has some improvement left in her having made a terrific start for this stable and a mark of 60 is very workable.

Form: 3-23113

(5)

Melrose Girl²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: B Smart| OR: 59

11/1

Her maiden form was only modest but she did show some progress on her handicap debut although that did only come in 0-60 company. She may well be suited by a bit further in time but could take a hand in this.

Form: 4543

(4)

Majestic Stone^v²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Joe Doyle| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 55

9/1

There are a couple of starts in handicaps that would give him a decent chance here finishing well on both occasions over 6f. Didn't back those two runs up last time out though and that leaves him with questions to answer here.

Form: 6-78225

Non-Runners

(8)

Black Salt²⁷

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: T D Barron J: B A Curtis

(12)

Mr Strutter⁴⁴

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: J & S Quinn J: G Lee

(11)

Jack Blane⁹

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: K Dalgleish J: A Mullen

Forecasts

Yes You (9/4), Metisian (7/2), Haworth (9/2), Mr Strutter (6/1), Jack Blane (7/1), Roys Dream (9/1), Majestic Stone (9/1), Melrose Girl (11/1), Kody Ridge (14/1), Black Salt (16/1), Uncle Charlie (18/1), Sulafah (66/1)

This could take some sorting out and winning with it being well contested for the grade and a few of these may well have a little more to offer. YES YOU is the suggestion from a yard in good fettle at the moment and back over 6f with Jack Blane and Haworth looking to be the main dangers. The former of that duo hasn’t had the run of the race of late while the latter still looks as though he could take another step forward after his last win. Metisian is another who has run with credit of late and it won’t be a surprise if he makes a bold bid here with Melrose Girl another to throw in the mix.