16:25 Carlisle

Wednesday 21 August 2019

All14:0514:3515:1015:4516:2516:5517:2517:55

Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 3m 12.24s

(3)

Celestial Force¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: C Lee| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 79| BF

6/1

Remained in good form (without winning) since taking a Beverley 1m4f handicap from the front in June; back from a break. Excuses for his last two defeats especially last time (bumped into a big improver); could well get an easy lead, leading chance.

Form: 6-75132

(8)

Navajo Pass¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: G Lee| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 81

2/1

Lightly-raced sort who has increasingly looked as though he needs a greater test of stamina and gets that now. Kept on well at Ripon (1m4f) last time having proved himself on testing ground at Haydock (time before); handicap debut, may do better.

Form: 3-22

(6)

Grenadier Guard^b¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 81| BF

5/1

Opened his account when given a stamina test at Haydock (1m4f, heavy) in June but he's proved a disappointment in handicaps since (last two runs well below-par). Wore blinkers (first-time) when last seen, starting to look rather indolent.

Form: 41237

(7)

Contrebasse¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 71

8/1

Got his head back in front last time going one better than his previous two starts; the only one given a close-up ride to the one granted a soft lead. Given a 5lb rise for that win he needs to produce a little more but can't be written off at all.

Form: 5-69221

(2)

Royal Flag⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Hart| T: B Ellison| OR: 64

16/1

With a losing sequence that is starting to lengthen the worries about his chance remain especially as he was slow away and never involved last time at Bath. Mark not really falling either; has looked awkward and not one to place much faith in.

Form: 743225

(5)

Beechwood Jude⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Shane Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 73| BF| C

4/1

A winner around here in June (1m3f) in soft ground on a day when today's trainer/jockey combination produced a four-timer (bounced back to form). Up 2lb and over the same C&D last time (ran second); same mark but up in trip now, viable option.

Form: 4-29612

(1)

Cormier³²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 69

13/2

Ran his best race (still a maiden) when taking second in testing conditions over a 2f shorter trip at Haydock in June (better grade). Failed to repeat that effort last time (form not that solid) when well beaten at Doncaster; others preferred.

Form: 55-3627

Non-Runners

(4)

Baydar⁶⁷

Weight: 9-8| Age: 6

T: I Furtado J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Navajo Pass (2/1), Beechwood Jude (4/1), Grenadier Guard (5/1), Celestial Force (6/1), Cormier (13/2), Contrebasse (8/1), Baydar (12/1), Royal Flag (16/1)

There hasn’t been a three-year-old winner in this since 2013 but that situation could be alleviated today with NAVAJO PASS looking a likely type for this sort of race with no doubts about the ground and with the trip being in his favour on handicap debut. Beechwood Jude another from that age group should be noted as one of the main dangers having run well here over shorter the last twice. Of the older brigade Contrebasse had been a little unlucky/frustrating prior to winning last time although he may well have had the run of the race on that occasion. Top weight Celestial Force will be even more dangerous if left alone in front with his recent form stacking up well.