3.20pm Carlisle Tips & Betting Preview 26/10/2017

3.20 Carlisle tips for Thursday’s Class 3 race. Small but select field where the stamina for further than this trip is going to be no bad thing on such heavy ground. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: HAPPY DIVA was rapidly progressive over hurdles last season, runner-up in a Grade 2 at Sandown. Her main danger on form is Jonniesofa, but this is a long way short of his best trip on his return from nineteen months off so he isn’t the easiest to support. Nuts Well does his winning at Newcastle but he is the genuine two miler of the three so needs consideration.

1 APPLAUS – Heavy ground winner over hurdles at Newcastle, he has the size and shape to make a better chaser. This is a deep enough contest to kick off his chasing career however, with three of these comfortably superior over the smaller obstacles.

2 JONNIESOFA – Rapidly progressive over hurdles when last seen nineteen months ago, he relishes heavy ground. This trip is too short for him, but given the prevailing conditions, his stamina reserves are no bad thing. The class act but the long absence is a big concern.

3 NUTS WELL – No problems with conditions over this ideal trip. High enough up the weights to start chasing, but has a solid record when fresh. Three of his four wins have come at Newcastle so would appeal more there – he is however – a player on his fencing debut.

4 ROSSAMILAN – Point to point winner showed precious little in three starts over hurdles. He should make up into a better chaser but hard to see him getting anywhere close to the principals on this occasion.

5 HAPPY DIVA – Progressive hurdler once she was stepped up in trip last season, finishing runner-up in a Sandown Grade 2. The step down in trip is a slight concern, but the stiff nature of the track and heavy ground should ensure stamina is at a premium, big chance.