2.05pm Carlisle tips for Monday’s Class 4 race. Deep looking qualifying contest in the Northern Lights Series. An extended two miles on soft ground, it’s a cracking little contest in prospect. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.
IN SUMMARY: NEWSTART has run well on each run for this yard, taking his form to a new level last time. He gives the impression that there is more in the tank yet so looks a huge each way play in this field. Viserion was an impressive winner here in February on similar ground. He will have to improve on his recent return but a visit here should see him do that. Meadowcroft Boy finally halted the decline last time, he is still well treated on his best if capable of backing that up.
1 VISERION – Looked a smart recruit last season, bolting up over course and distance in February on soft ground. Shaped as if in need of the run last time at Stratford on his return from five months off. This mark is well within his reach, with the return here another positive. Big chance.
2 RHYMERS STONE – Progressive in the early part of the year, a pair of wins pushing him up more than a stone in the weights. Begins this season from a career high perch as a result, needs to immediately resume his progression if he is to win this.
3 ASTAROLAND – Lightly raced in recent times, not seen on course since July 2016. Still four pounds above his last win, his victories have all come on better ground. Acts on softer, but is entitled to need this return to action.
4 MEADOWCROFT BOY – Finally halted a lengthy decline when landing a Kelso handicap. Won on his only visit here on soft ground but that was way back in December 2013. Capable from much higher marks in the past so an each way chance if backing that up.
5 IDDER – Both hurdles wins have come on much better ground, including over this course and distance in May. Didn’t look overly keen at various stages here last time, that coming off the back of a pair of poor efforts. Others preferred.
6 NEWSTART – Been in consistent form for this yard since arriving in the spring. Acts on soft ground well, a win last time out pushing him to a career high mark. That is fully justified though, shaping as if there is more still to come. He looks the one to beat.
7 PISTOL – Twice a winner here on heavy ground, his best form has all come on that surface on a stiff right handed track. On a workable mark on the best of his form but has spat the dummy in the majority of recent starts so hard to trust.
8 NEFYN BAY – Not seen over hurdles since 2015. the regular cheekpieces he wears are missing on his seasonal return. Ran up a string of places when last seen and no great record fresh so easy enough to pass over on this occasion.
9 SMART RULER – Five wins have all come on significantly quicker ground than this and on sharper tracks. Unquestionably well treated on his best, his lowest mark for more than four years but still tough to fancy given these conditions.
10 EMMA BEAG – Best form in Ireland over considerably further. Her sole win came over three miles on heavy ground so this drop in trip for her yard debut is a concern. Higher mark than she ever faced in Ireland is another sizeable concern.
11 DISCOVERIE – Four wins in 2016, his best form has all come on sharp left handed tracks. All eight wins at Catterick or Sedgefield and from six pounds above his highest winning mark in a handicap hurdle, he’s easy to take on.
12 NICE VINTAGE – Pulled up at big prices the last twice in this discipline. Her very best has come on this sort of surface and she has the benefit of a first time tongue strap here. Needs plenty more to figure however and can only be watched.
13 BAHRIKATE – Just a single win in eighteen starts. That came on very different ground from an eight pound lower mark, she has more than enough to prove, well behind Meadowcroft Boy last time out.
14 MICK THE POSER – Modest on the flat, his sole win coming on soft ground at Hamilton. Placed on both starts over hurdles, he looks harshly treated on his handicap debut, well beaten twice at this track on the flat.