15:00 Carlisle

Sunday 2 December 2018

All12:2512:5513:2514:0014:3015:0015:30

Smarkets Northern Lights Stayers' Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 6m 37.90s

Too Many Chiefs²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 124

18/1

Won three times at Ayr over 3m½f on heavy last winter. Below par both starts since, and this is a tough ask from top weight.

Form: 14118-4

Justatenner^h²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 124

7/2

Improving performer who went close to another win at Ayr last time. 5lb higher again here, but very much an each-way player at the least.

Form: 121132

Western Rules^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁷⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 121| C

7/2

Scored here over shorter on heavy ground, and won again at Ayr (3m½f, soft) in March, when 4lb lower. Unseated early over fences last time, but has frame claims back over hurdles.

Form: 3421P-U

Rivabodiva^t⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 118

8/1

Goes well on soft ground. Up 6lb for 6L win at Hexham last time. This is tougher, but certainly can't rule her out.

Form: 4215-41

Letemgo²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 115| CD

16/1

Gave Rivabodiva 7lb and a 5L beating at Ayr in February and followed up here (3m1f) over hurdles on heavy. Was competitive from this 16lb higher mark last time and enters each-way calculations.

Form: UP34-03

Chicoria²³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: T Davidson| OR: 115

4/1

Arrives chasing a hat-trick after wins at Ayr (soft) and Kelso (heavy) in the spring. Stays 3m, open to further improvement. Short-listed.

Form: 275411-

Moorlands Mist²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: Sara Ender| OR: 108

14/1

On a hat-trick after wins at Hexham and Sedgefield, both on good ground, since returning in October. Further 5lb rise will make this tough, but clearly can't dismiss him.

Form: 2PPP-11

Another Mattie^t¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 107

10/1

Scored from 6lb higher in 2017 and, although unable to get back to that level since, he should be very competitive from this mark after a recent loosener. Stable among the winners. Could go close.

Form: P7433-5

Top Billing^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 96| BF| D

14/1

Without a win for over three years and not giving the impression that the next is coming soon. 2lb 'wrong' and best watched.

Form: 064-340

Broadway Belle²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: D B Hurst⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 95

28/1

Recorded her first two career wins in the summer at up to 3m3f, including on soft. Hard to see her getting competitive on these terms.

Form: 216-314

Forecasts

Western Rules (7/2), Justatenner (7/2), Chicoria (4/1), Rivabodiva (8/1), Another Mattie (10/1), Top Billing (14/1), Moorlands Mist (14/1), Letemgo (16/1), Too Many Chiefs (18/1), Broadway Belle (28/1)

Several have claims in what could be a competitive heat, with preference just for CHICORIA, who is less exposed than most, handles these conditions and arrives in super form. Stablemare Justatenner can't be ruled out, while Western Rules, Rivabodiva, Another Mattie and Letemgo are others to consider.