15:40 Carlisle

Sunday 30 October 2022

All12:5013:2513:5814:3015:0515:4016:13

Dowson Blades Cumberland Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 7m 18.32s

Secret Reprieve²⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 137

12/1

Won the Welsh Grand National in 2020/21 season. Not seen again until finishing a well-held fifth in last year's renewal of that race. Pulled up in Grand National Trial at Haydock in February and off again since. A potential class act at this level but hard to know what form he'll return in.

Form: 2F11/5P-

Morning Spirit^p²²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 129

13/2

Ran to a useful level when second in 17-runner handicap at Exeter last December. Possibly stretched by a marathon trip when fourth there on his final start. Returns as an unexposed type.

Form: 5/2F2F4-

Innisfree Lad^p²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: David Dennis| OR: 127| D

12/1

Back on the scoresheet at Plumpton in January and excellent third in Eider at Newcastle in February. However, he was well below par when last of 6 on his recent Chepstow reappearance so he'll need to leave that well behind. Headgear back on.

Form: 153P4-6

Mount Melleray^p²⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 125

18/1

Irish recruit who was having his first chase start for current yard when narrowly denied in a C&D handicap (good to soft) in February. Claims if returning from a break in similar form.

Form: 22/3422-

Seven No Trumps^t²³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122

9/2

Made a promising start over fences when scoring at Lingfield (2½m) last November. Better form in defeat at Market Rasen and Wetherby since. Leaves the impression this sort of stamina test could suit. Much respected on return to action.

Form: 343/133-

Rath An Iuir¹⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 120| C

4/1

Won a novice handicap on this card 2 years ago and followed up over 3m here 4 weeks later. Last season was a bit of an anti-climax but he does return to action with his yard among the winners. Check betting.

Form: 11/564P-

Niceandeasy^p²³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 118| D

12/1

Took well to fences last winter, winning twice. Possible he could have even more to offer this time. Another who can't be discounted.

Form: 43F121-

Houston Texas²⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 116| CD

3/1

Proving steadily progressive over fences, winning 2 handicaps here in February (the latter over this trip). Type to go on to even better things this season.

Form: P/74211-

Flower Of Scotland¹⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson| OR: 112

15/2

Kelso novice hurdle winner last December. Respectable fourth in handicap hurdles subsequently. Reverts to fences on return from 6 months off.

Form: 5/81444-

Forecasts

Houston Texas (3/1), Rath An Iuir (4/1), Seven No Trumps (9/2), Morning Spirit (13/2), Flower Of Scotland (15/2), Innisfree Lad (12/1), Niceandeasy (12/1), Secret Reprieve (12/1), Mount Melleray (18/1)

In a race where the fitness of the vast majority has to be taken on trust the suggestion is SEVEN NO TRUMPS who is unexposed for a leading stable and leaves the impression this sort of stamina test will suit him. Morning Spirit will be a danger if back to the level he showed when second in a big field at Exeter last December. Houston Texas scored twice here at the beginning of the year and is another to consider.