3.55pm Carlisle Tips & Betting Preview 26/10/2017

3.55pm Carlisle tips for Thursday’s Class 3 race. Not the strongest Class 3 ever run, a field of seven chasing the first prize of a shade under £6,500. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: ZENAFIRE is really well treated on his flat form back over hurdles. He has some smart form on soft ground on the level but has run just the once in a handicap over hurdles on soft ground, This surface should allow him to take his form up a notch so he is the one to beat. Spectator is another for whom the move onto softer ground over hurdles will be beneficial, he looks the biggest danger from Barrys Jack who was a course and distance winner last time out.

1 COUSIN OSCAR – Twice a winner so far, both coming at Bangor. Those runs are a good half a stone better than he has accomplished elsewhere which raises a slight doubt. This stiffer test of stamina should suit providing he handles the softest ground he has encountered.

2 ZENAFIRE – Lightly enough raced over obstacles, with plenty of soft ground form to his credit on the flat. Well treated on that form on the level, which makes him a huge each way player, with this test at two miles looking perfect for him.

3 HINT OF GREY – A little disappointing in a poor handicap at Yarmouth last week, especially given the form she showed winning at Hexham in  May. Looks a far better hurdler, with a stiff track clearly suiting, Has form on soft but untried with the ground this heavy.

4 IDDER – A winner on soft ground on the flat but the best of his form over hurdles has come on a better surface to this. This looks more of a stamina test for him than is ideal so he is easily passed over.

5 SPECTATOR – Yet to run on ground this soft over hurdles. His best performance on the flat came on deep autumn ground at Doncaster, so should do better now. Stayed fourteen furlongs in that discipline so this trip on a stiff track looks perfect, interesting contender.

6 BARRYS JACK – Arrives chasing a hat-trick, eight pounds higher than a win over this course and distance earlier in the month. He clearly relishes these conditions, value for more than his winning margin last time. Holds a solid chance once more.

7 MARLAIS – A couple of glimpses of promise over hurdles last season but this looks a plenty high enough mark. Well beaten the twice he has encountered soft ground in his career so simple enough to oppose.