2.30pm Carlisle Tips & Betting Preview 05/11/2017

2.30pm Carlisle tips for Sunday’s Class 3 race. A severe test of stamina on the cards here with three and a quarter miles in front of them on soft ground, £15,640 the prize they are chasing. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: WALDORF SALAD has won fresh in the past, his trainer has a good record here which he can enhance. He stays well, with soft ground perfect for him from a workable mark. Chef D’Oeuvre could potentially be thrown in from this mark on his running behind American last season. He isn’t the neatest of jumpers however and with the cheekpieces off, he has a couple of questions to answer. Cadeau George is another who is a strong stayer, especially under these soft conditions, he is very well treated on his first run over fences since 2015.

1 CHEF D’OEUVRE – Solid novice form, the pick coming when nine lengths behind American. Given that horse ripped a handicap to shreds off 148 the next time, an opening mark of 130 is very fair. The cheekpieces are off however and his jumping needs to be slicker.

2 ABRACADABRA SIVOLA – Three wins over fences have all come right handed. Won from a pound lower at Taunton in March, he lacked consistency either side. Won’t get an easy time on the front end but still needs each way consideration.

3 RUSSE BLANC – Dour stayer, his moment in the sun coming in the 2016 Classic Chase. Still a pound higher than that here, he showed his only form last year over this course and distance. No great record fresh so best watched here.

4 BLAMEITALLONMYROOTS – Solid third in an Ascot handicap to begin last season, she scored at Kempton in February. Clearly happy going this way round and has a solid record fresh but whether she wants this far is a point she is yet to fully prove.

5 TEMPLEROSS – Smart form in a pair of deep handicap hurdles earlier this year, he shaped well enough on his chasing debut. This is a significant step up in trip and having been all out to win over three miles over hurdles, that leaves him a question to answer.

6 TOMKEVI – Has tried three miles just the once, at Hexham on good ground. The tongue strap he normally wears is removed which is a concern stepping up to the stiffest stamina test he has encountered. Ten pounds higher than his last win, he appears to have plenty on his plate.

7 TWO SMOKIN BARRELS – Really progressive chaser on soft ground last season, she is lightly raced enough to improve further this season. This trip on soft ground will be the stiffest stamina test she has encountered, but has gone well fresh in the past.

8 TOPPER THORNTON – Still ten pounds above his last winning mark, despite that coming in early 2016. No stamina or ground questions, but entitled to come on for his first run of the season.

9 BEGGARS CROSS – Impressive return to action, getting the better of a well handicapped sort at Warwick. He shapes as if he is capable of better again with this test of stamina, but very soft ground would be a concern for him.

10 WALDORF SALAD – Won first time up two seasons ago, the first of three victories that campaign. Struggled to back that up from higher marks last year but this stamina test on soft ground suits him perfectly, with his trainer always one to watch here. Big each way chance.

11 A GOOD SKIN – April 2015 the last time he got his head in front, his best form coming on a sounder surface than this. Is very well treated on his best but would appeal more on good ground.

12 CADEAU GEORGE – The 2015 Midlands National is the last time he has run over fences, a winner over the smaller obstacles last season. A dour stamina test on soft ground is right up his street, solid each way chance given the prevailing conditions.

13 HARRY THE VIKING – Another for whom a proper test of stamina is a must. Broke a winless run of almost five years when winning at Kelso last December, only a pound higher here but would appreciate further.

14 BINDON MILL – Lightly raced over fences, he has potential for better if he can brush up on his jumping. Strikes as a proper staying chaser in the making, this mark will be a winnable one sooner rather than later but his jumping is a concern for now.

15 PRESENTED – Runner-up in a similar contest over course and distance ten days ago. Does nothing quickly but this test of stamina suits. Needs a little more from four pounds higher but has a place squeak.