IN SUMMARY: DIVINE PORT (7/2) is the only course and distance winner in the six horse field. Trainer Alan Swinbank has a fantastic record at Carlisle, with one third of his runners winning here over the past 12 months. He may be at the top of the weights, but he’s young and talented and both his last two wins have come on heavy ground.
1 DIVINE PORT – Hasn’t shown his best form so far this year, but showed excellent for at the end of 2015, including a course and distance win here in December. His trainer has an enviable record around Carlisle and the six year old is still highly rated at this level. The heavy ground will suit too, so an improved run is expected.
2 BARAKA DE THAIX – Yet to win a race over hurdles during his relatively short career. Was a surprise entrant in the JCB at Cheltenham last year, but didn’t pull up any tree’s, finishing near the back of the field. He’s recorded two fourth place’s so far this year, but the drop back in trip will have been appreciated.
3 CAPTAIN REDBEARD – Upset the form-books when winning by eight lengths at Sedgefield in January. Followed that up with a distant fourth here at Carlisle the following month. He went off as the joint favourite, but finished over 30 lengths behind the winner. No real for to speak of, aside from that win and the soft ground is certainly a negative.
4 MANBALLANDALL – A consistent long-odds runner in this kind of company, with fourth the best he has been able to manage since winning last May. His rating has dropped by 16llbs since that Hexham victory, shouldn’t be a contender here.
5 NAFAATH – A ten year old chaser who’s rating has been on the rise during a successful campaign. Sedgefield has proved a happy hunting ground, with a win and a second place so far this season, but he;s yet to manage anything better than fourth at Carlisle since 2014. Trainer is in decent form and his jockey will come in with a 3llbs weight allowance.
6 RHYTHM AND SOUND – A promising all weather point-to-pointer, who is yet to show any kind of form over hurdles. He’s twice been a 100/1 shot in his four starts so far, with 5th place being his greatest achievement. It’s highly unlikely that he will cause too problems here.
myracing Forecast Prices: 5/2 Baraka De Thaix & Nafaath, 7/2 Divine Port, 4/1 Captain Redbeard, 12/1 Manballandall & Rhythm and Sound
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