17:25 Carlisle

Wednesday 12 September 2018

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:5017:25

Best Racing Odds On Smarkets Handicap

Off time: 17:26 | Winning time: 3m 18.89s

(12)

Decima¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 65| C

14/1

Had been in the doldrums somewhat but bounced back to form with victory here a fortnight ago. 5lb rise in the weights less of a worry than this extra three furlongs, which asks a new question of her and will test her stamina.

Form: 03-6871

(11)

Auxiliary^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 65

7/2

Arguably his best run this season came at this trip when second at Redcar in August, although was still 5l behind the winner. Soft ground winner in the past, so conditions fine, and could get in the shake up.

Form: 8-16524

(9)

Zig Zag⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 61

15/2

Disappointing at Newcastle last time out but may be happier back on turf, and step back up in trip no bad thing either. Overall strike rate is poor though, and may be once again playing for the places.

Form: 0-81526

(2)

Something Brewing^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 60

8/1

Won't fail for a lack of stamina, having won over 2m at Wolverhampton in July, but soft ground would be a concern, having blown out on it a few times now. Watch the weather forecast is the advice.

Form: 658134

(3)

Contrebasse⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 67

6/1

Had been slowly finding some form prior to his win at Doncaster last time out, and he showed a willing attitude there, so has that in his favour. However, likely softer ground to cope with here, and is up in trip, so may need a bit more.

Form: 65-0721

(6)

Reactive³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D C Costello| T: J G Given| OR: 65

25/1

Only had the four starts, so open to improvement, and although last of five on handicap debut at Ripon last time, wasn't beaten far and looked like this step up in trip might suit. Ground an unknown but still more interesting than a few.

Form: 5025

(4)

Toronto Sound⁴³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D Nolan| T: K Frost| OR: 55

20/1

First start for new yard here (formerly with Mark Prescott) and not seen out since June 2017. That, plus a new trip and likely soft ground all mean he's best watched unless strong in the market tonight.

Form: 6083-

(1)

In Focus^h¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 51| C

28/1

Got to go back to 2015 to find the last time he visited the winners enclosure but on the plus side, was second in a division of this last year and won't care how much rain falls (acts on soft/heavy). Trip too short last time, and could go okay here.

Form: 28-0676

(5)

Kirkman⁴⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Ryan Tate| T: P W Hiatt| OR: 45

100/1

Not seen out since July 2017, and had barely beaten a horse home in four starts then. Just the one win in 22 starts and an awful lot to prove here.

Form: 64090/7-

(7)

Jaycols Star³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: P Hanagan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 51

40/1

Only the one placed effort to show from 10 starts but that wasn't a dreadful effort, having come third in an Aintree novice hurdle. Poor effort last time out though, and with plenty on his plate here, is best watched.

Form: 76076-6

(8)

So Near So Farhh¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: F Norton| T: M R Channon| OR: 49

2/1

Only had the eight starts so may improve a little yet, seems to stay this trip after a couple of placed efforts at it and gets all the allowances here, so it's a question of how she would handle the likely softer conditions. Not discounted.

Form: 0-60243

Non-Runners

(10)

Hernandes³²

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: S Donohoe

Forecasts

So Near So Farhh (2/1), Auxiliary (7/2), Contrebasse (6/1), Hernandes (6/1), Zig Zag (15/2), Something Brewing (8/1), Decima (14/1), Toronto Sound (20/1), Reactive (25/1), In Focus (28/1), Jaycols Star (40/1), Kirkman (100/1)

Few of these come into this with solid claims, and a chance is taken on IN FOCUS, who might be the one to appreciate conditions and could bounce back to form, as he did in a division of this race last year. So Near So Farhh has little weight to carry and that can only help in what promises to be a slog, and if handling this ground, could pose a danger. Money for Reactive would be worth noting, and Auxillary holds each-way chances too.