15:00 Carlisle

Sunday 3 December 2017

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:30

Northern Lights Stayers' Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 26.85s

Fly Vinnie²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 127| D

5/2

Won his first start for this yard at Musselburgh last time out and with plenty in hand too. 10lb hike obviously makes life tougher but still relatively unexposed over this sort of trip and may prove well handicapped over it.

Form: 510/0-P1

Landecker²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 118| BF

7/1

Second at Kelso last time out a slightly improved effort albeit he was soundly beaten. Stays all day so will be hoping this turns into a real slog in likely heavy ground.

Form: 35-2472

Hartforth²³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Callum Whillans⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 116| D

16/1

Only 1lb higher than last win in December and that largely due to three relatively distant sixths after it. Returns to action with a handy enough mark but this a tough ask first time out.

Form: FP/1666-

Another Mattie^t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 114

12/1

Pulled up on return at Ayr but better effort latest when fourth. Now 1lb only above last winning mark so can't be ruled out today on ground that holds no fears.

Form: 3316-P4

Forty Crown^p²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 114

12/1

Never won over 3m although he has looked like he stays it more often than not. Weakened late on last twice at Kelso and Sedgefield so step up at present is worrying especially considering ground conditions.

Form: 4137-45

Buckled²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 114| BF

6/1

7L behind Fly Vinnie latest at Musselburgh but is 8lb better off today. Won the time before at Kelso so clearly in good form and can't be underestimated at present.

Form: 158-312

Ebony Rose^h,t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 111

14/1

Didn't jump well when well behind Fly Vinnie last time out at Musselburgh. 11lb better off with that rival but would still need a dramatic turnaround to reverse placings.

Form: 213145

Too Many Chiefs¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 110

5/1

5lb rise for latest win on heavy ground at Ayr looks fair given that he won quite comfortably. This a tougher ask but expecting another bold show on similar ground.

Form: 410-821

Native Optimist¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Miss C Walton⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Walton| OR: 110

20/1

11lb penalty for Hexham win looked harsh and so it proved as he was tailed off behind Too Many Chiefs at Ayr. Only eased 1lb today so hard to fancy him.

Form: 108217

Bourne^p³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107| CD

14/1

Veteran who was high class in his younger days and he still retains his zest despite his advancing years. Course and distance winner off this mark a year ago and could go well here.

Form: 252-556

Reivers Lodge^h,t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 104

8/1

Been in fine form and won two starts back at Kelso. Upped to 3m latest she was third to Too Many Chiefs having led two out. Stamina would have to be a doubt and a very patient ride may be needed.

Form: 523213

Notonebuttwo^p¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 74| D

50/1

Almost two stone out of the handicap and would be one of the shocks of recent times if he won on that basis,

Form: 789430

Forecasts

Fly Vinnie (5/2), Too Many Chiefs (5/1), Buckled (6/1), Landecker (7/1), Reivers Lodge (8/1), Forty Crown (12/1), Another Mattie (12/1), Ebony Rose (14/1), Bourne (14/1), Hartforth (16/1), Native Optimist (20/1), Notonebuttwo (50/1)

A couple of these looked ones to stay on the right side of when winning last time out. Of the pair preference is for FLY VINNIE despite a 10lb rise in the weights. He bolted up at Musselburgh and could be a different proposition for this yard based on that run. Too Many Chiefs also won with plenty in hand at Ayr and he only goes up 5lb so should be right there once more. The veteran Bourne catches the eye a little too given he won over course and distance last year off the exact same mark as he has today.