15:25 Carlisle

Saturday 31 March 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Scoop6 At totesport.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 16.21s

Chidswell²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 130| BF| D

10/3

Fairly reliable performer at this sort of level, winning twice in 2017. Nothing wrong with attitude in four runs since just before Christmas over variety of trips, including neck-second at Kelso in January over 2m7½f. Should go well.

Form: 35-2233

The Clock Leary¹⁵⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 130| D

16/1

Ten-year-old revitalised since joining this yard, recording three wins earlier in the season (3-9) amid consistent string of efforts. Out of sorts in October when last spotted, but could bounce back having enjoyed a break since.

Form: 2141P5

Calipto³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 129| BF

9/2

Ex-Paul Nicholls runner was useful over hurdles and scored in a Fontwell beginners' chase back in 2015 before leaving Ditcheat. Hasn't threatened since joining this operation a year ago, disappointing favourite last time at Warwick.

Form: 8/6F-555

Pistol Park^t⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 129

11/2

Looks to be on an attractive mark at 2lb lower than his last win, stayed on to be third from off the pace over 2m here six days ago, has to enter calculations now upped in distance if repeating that show.

Form: 2-F2443

Un Guet Apens^b⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 126| CD

16/1

C&D winner in November and went in again at Kelso in January. Forgiven last time out effort at this track over 3m+ on very testing ground and worth considering back over this journey.

Form: 164125

Wolf Sword³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 123| CD

13/2

Record reads 3-19 over fences, latest score coming over 2m3½f at Wetherby in November. On the same mark now, though hasn't managed to sustain a challenge in any of three runs since.

Form: 1-41P44

Verona Opera²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Slevin⁽³⁾| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 117| C

5/1

Mare scored on chasing bow at Cartmel in June (2m5f, good to soft) and anything but disgraced over this C&D in December when around 10L third behind Benie Des Dieux in Listed Mares' Chase. Respected after pipe-opener over hurdles at Aye this month.

Form: 371434

Bright Prospect⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 115| D

15/2

Just edged out Chidswell at Kelso in January over longer trip, has been raised 3lb for that win, should have a say once more in an open-looking affair.

Form: 4PP2-21

Indian Voyage^t⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 109| CD

25/1

Former C&D winner but not one to hang your hat on. Well beaten here last Sunday over 2m (Pistol Park in front) in keeping with efforts since Sedgefield win in November.

Form: 5P14P5

Forecasts

Chidswell (10/3), Calipto (9/2), Verona Opera (5/1), Pistol Park (11/2), Wolf Sword (13/2), Bright Prospect (15/2), Un Guet Apens (16/1), The Clock Leary (16/1), Indian Voyage (25/1)

A wide open event and cases can be made for a few. Pistol Park stayed on from an unpromising position here over 2m recently and could have more to offer now upped in trip while Bright Prospect and Chidswell are well-matched on their Kelso one-two in January if adapting to this shorter trip. The Clock Leary was in fine form for Donald McCain earlier in the season and could go well off his break but VERONA OPERA ran well in a Listed event here in December behind the smart subsequent Cheltenham Festival (hurdles) winner Benie Des Dieux. Her trainer is in useful form and she may be the answer having dusted off the cobwebs over hurdles recently.