17:10 Carlisle

Thursday 24 October 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:3517:10

Lisa Harrison Racing Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 5m 9.60s

Craig Star^b²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 105

11/2

Hard to be confident with his losing sequence starting to mount although he does have a reduced mark to fall back on (11lb below last win). Solid enough third last time at Huntingdon without threatening to win; blinkers return.

Form: 557-243

Strike West²¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 102| CD

9/1

Won over this trip on the inner track (totally different test) back in April 2018, has for the most part run well over hurdles since without winning again. Threw away a Sedgefield handicap when last seen; needs to keep his attitude in check.

Form: 31/3822-

Not The Chablis¹⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 100

7/1

Bumper winner when trained in Ireland his form over hurdles for this yard isn't more than modest; looked to be going the wrong way in handicaps when last seen. May have more to offer (still relatively unexposed), potential quirks pose a question.

Form: 146349-

Border Victor^p¹⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 98

12/1

Capable at this level on his day although he's not without his quirky traits on occasions. Twice below form when last seen and remains 3lb above his last winning mark; break could have freshened him up though, not one to ignore.

Form: 25219-8

Flaming Glory¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 95

16/1

Placed in Irish point-to-points his hurdles form has been disappointing overall; offered very little when making his handicap debut at Kelso off a break recently. Eased in the handicap but hard to form a cogent case as things stand.

Form: 72068-9

Court In Matera^b¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 92

4/1

Yet to break his maiden over hurdles (0-7) although he did step forward on his third try in handicaps at here in April over 2m1f on the inner track (winner won next time out). Ought to be sharper for return run; mark looks a workable one.

Form: 59PP2-6

Bullion²⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Ewart| OR: 92WS

8/1

Returns from being given a second wind op having offered little over hurdles so far including in handicaps on the last two occasions he was seen. Mark falls to a career-low but needs that and wind surgery to have produced a positive effect.

Form: 5/65760-

Grand Enterprise^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 85

12/1

Losing sequence now stretches back to Jan 2017 when he was successful off a 10lb higher mark. In fair form in the summer (runner-up three times) before unseating his rider last time at Southwell; has to be given a chance in a weak heat.

Form: 72252U

Cataclysm¹⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: J K Hunter| OR: 83

100/1

Pulled up in all his starts over hurdles for this yard he continues to show little having also been tried in headgear (now removed). Even at this lowly level he would be a surprise winner given the lack of numbers in his form figures.

Form: 40P/PP-P

Hot Gossip^p1³²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 81

13/2

Returns from a significant absence having run his best race when last seen keeping on well to finish second at Ayr over a similar trip in testing conditions. Cheekpieces now go on for the first-time; could well improve, watch for a market move.

Form: 9/0V652-

Tekiblue de L'Orme⁴²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 74

10/1

Coming back from a long time off the course having shown only poor form so far apart from a modest third at Cartmel when last seen having tumbled down the weights. 5lb out of the weights; market may provide a guide to expectations.

Form: 04680/3-

Forecasts

Court In Matera (4/1), Craig Star (11/2), Hot Gossip (13/2), Not The Chablis (7/1), Bullion (8/1), Strike West (9/1), Tekiblue de L'Orme (10/1), Grand Enterprise (12/1), Border Victor (12/1), Flaming Glory (16/1), Cataclysm (100/1)

Don McCain has a good chance in the first division of this low-grade handicap hurdle and his Craig Star would be amongst those who appeal here having shown some promise in ending his long losing run at Huntingdon last time. Grand Enterprise is of the same ilk and he looks well handicapped on his old form with Hot Gossip another expected to get in the mix off a low mark, a positive move in the market would be well worth noting. Strike West ought to be capable of winning at this level if his wayward tendencies can be harnessed but Court In Matera and the enigmatic BORDER VICTOR make the most appeal with the latter getting a narrow vote.