4.10pm Carlisle Tips & Betting Preview 09/06/2017

A field of eight go to post for the fifth race of the day at Carlisle on Friday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Kensington Star should be happier now upped in trip as he’s been narrowly denied on his two previous starts, but he looks set to be denied for a third straight race as getting past ARTHUR MC BRIDE is going to be very tricky. He was a good fourth at Haydock on his latest start when setting the pace from the front and he now drops two classes to compete in this for Nigel Twiston-Davies. The in form Tom Eaves takes the ride and with the softer conditions no concern, he can dominate this field from the front and will be a very hard horse to pass going down the straight. Injam is another to consider with the ground in his favour.

1 INJAM – Strong stayer at this trip for Jedd O’Keeffe who won at York on his latest start when mowing down the eventual second late on and as a result he’s been raised 5lb. The ground remains in his favour for this run and Graham Lee retains the ride which is an obvious plus, with the fact he still unexposed at this distance another positive for this four year old by Pour Moi. There is likely more to come and he has to be considered a main contender.

2 CODESHARE – Consistent sort who has a record of 1342 since being switched to handicaps, going down by only a neck at Doncaster on his latest start, headed towards the line. He is up a pound only but the ground is much different today, with there being doubts about his suitability to softer surfaces as both his efforts on ‘soft’ resulted in him, being well beaten in bumpers. Hard to rule him out entirely but his stamina may just give out this time around with the ground as it is.

3 ARTHUR MC BRIDE – Front runner for Nigel Twiston-Davies who posted his best effort since winning at Doncaster in October when fourth at Haydock two weeks ago in a tougher race than this. He’s now down in class and down a pound in the handicapper, with another small field he can perhaps dominate from the front. This softer ground is of no concern and he looks sure to go well again under Tom Eaves as he stays this distance strongly and he’ll have these on the stretch if out in the lead. Likely to go close and has to be respected as he wont be easy to pass.

4 SAVED BY THE BELL – Seven year old for David O’Meara who has been soundly beaten on two starts this season for the in form trainer, never dangerous when tenth at York behind Injam when last seen. Meets that rival on three pound better terms this time around and he’s now dropped to an attractive mark, with the in form Danny Tudhope taking the ride which can only boost his chances. This softer ground will be of no concern to him and he looks to have an each way claims, though he does remain risky with his current form and the fact his last win came in June 2015.

5 WOR LASS – Eight time winner on the flat with the latest of those coming back in September at Musselburgh by a clear cut margin, though she is now three pounds higher. She has struggled since, though her return last Saturday from seven months off was reasonably promising when third at Newcastle, albeit she was beaten by a substantial margin. She is on a mark of 80 which is still five pounds above his last winning mark, so she may need some help from the handicapper before she returns to winning ways. Others preferred.

6 KENSINGTON STAR – Four year old for Keith Dalgleish who has only four runs under his belt, with two in handicap company after breaking his maiden at the second attempt at Redcar in April. On both his handicap runs thus far he has stormed home to finish second by a head and the handicapper has raised him 4lb for his latest near miss at Hamilton. This extra distance looks almost certain to suit and the yard are in good form at present, the main concern would have to be whether he will handle today’s softer ground.

7 SILVA ECLIPSE – Won three times on the bounce in the summer for Jedd O’Keeffe and although he posted a tame effort on seasonal debut, he was fourth behind Injam on his latest start at York. He meets that rival on better terms this time around but it’s hard to see him completely turning around the form with his stable mate, as he seemed to have something in hand that day after rallying well. He has each way claims under Paul Mulrennan, but others make more appeal for win purposes.

8 CARD HIGH – Now a pound under his last winning mark but that is only due to some poor performances of late, with his latest seventh at Musselburgh not doing much to suggest he was coming near the boil. His stamina over this distance is certainly up for debate after that latest run and he remains risky despite looking potentially well treated off a mark of 72. Market support would be interesting but percentage call is to look elsewhere.