15:32 Carlisle

Monday 5 February 2024

All13:3214:0214:3215:0215:3216:0716:40

Bet In Play At Rhino.Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 4m 34.76s

Portstorm^t³²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: I A Duncan| OR: 121

100/1

A fair 21f winner in 2020 and has rejoined former yard after a winless spell in Ireland for Colin McBratney. Needs to hit the ground running after 10 moonths off.

Form: 65U665-

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Skycutter⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 115

11/4

Successful twice over hurdles for Phil Kirby and, following a lengthy absence, confirmed he retains plenty of ability in pair of starts for new yard this winter, not beaten far when fourth at Wincanton (15.2f). Mark has eased a little more and not ruled out.

Form: 1829/24

Grand Soufle⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 108| D

14/1

Scored at Cartmel in 2022 and not disgraced after 15 months off when running-on fourth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Newcastle (16.9f, good to soft, 11/1) 74 days ago. Not taken lightly if building on last effort.

Form: 542/21-4

Kingston Bridge³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 108| C

4/1

Showed a likeable attitude to get off the mark in a Carlisle maiden (19f) last March. Placed in 3 of his 4 handicaps since, third at Kelso last time. Considered.

Form: 312-633

Pretending¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: L Wadham| OR: 105

4/1

Opened her account as a hurdler at Sandown and backed it up with a good fourth in 2m3f Lingfield handicap 15 days ago. Weighted to go well eased 1 lb.

Form: 282-F14

El Jefe^h,t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 104| D

7/1

Better than ever this season, completing the hat-trick in authoritative fashion in 8-runner handicap (15/2) at Haydock (18.9f, heavy) 44 days ago. Up 8 lb but he can go well again.

Form: 023111

City Derby^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 104

33/1

Consistent sort but produced rare below-par efforts on his last two starts at Musselburgh and Catterick last month. Type to bounce back with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 243268

Applaus^p,t⁵⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 103| CD

12/1

Untrustworthy individual but he's a 3-time C&D winner, inckuding in this event 12 months ago. Last of 6 in handicap hurdle (16/1) at Hexham (20.1f, heavy) 54 days ago but still needs considering.

Form: 477356

Serious Ego⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Callum Bewley| T: N G Richards| OR: 101

28/1

Landed a pair of 2m handicaps at Hexham in November but only sixth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Ayr 56 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 3-45116

Palm Beach^t⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 100| C

14/1

Course winner but he came in only fourth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (19.8f, soft, 25/1) 41 days ago. It's now 11 runs since his last win in 2022.

Form: 360374

Geordies Dream⁸⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 96

8/1

A fair bumper winner who resumed from 19 months off with a good third of 10 to Serious Ego in handicap hurdle at Hexham (16.2f, heavy) 87 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 12305/3

Non-Runners

Sextant²

Weight: 12-1| Age: 9

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Skycutter (11/4), Pretending (4/1), Kingston Bridge (4/1), El Jefe (7/1), Geordies Dream (8/1), Applaus (12/1), Palm Beach (14/1), Grand Soufle (14/1), Sextant (20/1), Serious Ego (28/1), City Derby (33/1), Portstorm (100/1)

Lots with chances but PRETENDING arrives at the top of her game and is taken to quickly resume winning ways eased 1 lb for her good Lingfield fourth last time out. El Jefe rates the obvious danger in his bid to rattle off a four-timer, with Skycutter, Applaus and Kingston Bridge others to consider in a very open contest.