14:13 Carlisle

Saturday 3 April 2021

All13:3814:1314:4815:2315:5816:3317:0517:40

Upperby Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:14 | Winning time: 5m 33.95s

Calix Delafayette^b³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Ewart| OR: 105

20/1

Bumper/hurdles winner earlier in career, but very lightly raced in recent years and hard to derive much obvious encouragement from his 2 chase starts this term.

Form: 13/3U-66

Just Don't Know³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: A Robson| OR: 105

8/1

Has shaped with a bit of promise in maiden/novice hurdles for this stable in recent months and this former point winner appeals as one who could fare better now handicap chasing.

Form: 6UF1-55

Tico Times¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 95

9/2

Had wind op and left hurdle efforts for this yard well behind when making successful start over fences in 19f Sedgefield handicap 18 days ago. Likely to remain competitive up 7 lb.

Form: 3P5-P01

Choix Des Armes^h¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 92

16/1

Successful hurdler for Paul Nicholls in 2018. Below that level in light career for this yard since, jumping less than fluently when well held at Newcastle 14 days ago.

Form: 0P6-P37

Holme Abbey²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 92

13/2

Improved when second on Cartmel handicap hurdle debut last August. Off 6 months, shaped as if better for the run when fifth of 14 at Newcastle 25 days ago. Respected on chase debut.

Form: 079-205

Bird On The Wire^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 91

9/4

Best run over hurdles when returning from wind surgery to finish second in 19f Catterick handicap last month. 2-2 in points so appeals as one who could fare better over fences.

Form: 1/0-B642

Little Orange⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: S Waugh| OR: 90

33/1

Has shown nothing in novice hurdles and a jumpers bumper but more realistic chance now handicapping over fences.

Form: 8856

Slade Storm⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Coltherd| T: K Scott| OR: 90

50/1

Ex-pointer who has seemed rather limited under Rules so far. Chase debut.

Form: 56/55-P0

Westdante^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: D Brooke| OR: 89

13/2

No impact over hurdles, including on Sedgefield handicap debut last month. Was runner-up in a point, though, so perhaps he'll fare better now chasing.

Form: P2-P576

Challow⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 84

80/1

Long-standing maiden under both codes. Distant third of 4 on Sedgefield chase debut 9 days ago.

Form: 4P66-P3

Abrach Road²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: D R Fox| T: I A Duncan| OR: 75

12/1

Well held in bumpers and no better over hurdles, including handicap debut 3 weeks ago. Switch to fences needs to make a difference.

Form: 8884-75

Onenightintown^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 73

20/1

Little show over hurdles/fences in Ireland for Brian Francis Cawley, and has fared no better over hurdles for new stable.

Form: 008805

Farlam King^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 72

20/1

Poor maiden handicap hurdler/chaser. Ran poorly at Kelso only 12 days ago. 7 lb out of the handicap and probably best to look elsewhere again.

Form: 9-98236

Non-Runners

Nettlebush³⁷

Weight: 10-2| Age: 11

T: Miss S E Forster J: S Mulqueen

Forecasts

Bird On The Wire (9/4), Tico Times (9/2), Westdante (13/2), Holme Abbey (13/2), Just Don't Know (8/1), Abrach Road (12/1), Choix Des Armes (16/1), Onenightintown (20/1), Farlam King (20/1), Calix Delafayette (20/1), Nettlebush (20/1), Little Orange (33/1), Slade Storm (50/1), Challow (80/1)

BIRD ON THE WIRE was an improved second over hurdles on his handicap debut a month ago and a 2-2 record in points suggests he could do better again now chasing. Holme Abbey is another who may have more to offer over the larger obstacles, while Tico Times is also respected as a last-time-out winner.