Carlisle - October 23

CARLISLE – Thursday October 23th

Going - Soft , good To Soft in places, but hurdles course (using the flat course) looked significantly more testing than the chase course which I suspect was no worse than Good To Soft.

MAXIMISER was an impressive winner of the opening 2m 4f hurdle. He jumped well, took it up four out and wasn’t in any trouble at all up the hill. The second Master Dee had some fair novice form and would be expected to make a mark. Conditions appeared testing on the hurdles course but the winner, successful in an Irish point last December, is a very interesting prospect for Simon West.

In the same contest MISTER BISHOP led until Maximiser took over and once held by the first two he was allowed to come home in his own time in a clear third place. A winning chaser in Ireland, he had not been out since a fall at Kilbeggan in July 2010, so this race proved that he retains ability and this contest will surely have knocked off some of the cobwebs that must have accumulated.

MONTOYA’S SON has revived after a spell in the doldrums during his time in Ireland. A convincing win here a Class 4 Handicap Chase over 2m 4f, grinding away up the hill and coming clear on the flat. He won under a 7lb penalty here, and will go up significantly, but he has signalled his wellbeing.

THE MAGIC BISHOP isn’t the easiest to catch right, but stayed on from three out without ever threatening the winner. He could get in the mix at this level over a longer trip if repeating this effort.

A competitive two mile and a furlong Intermediate Handicap Hurdle in which CAPTAIN CLAYTON stayed on well up the hill to win going away, recording a double on the day for Simon West. BACK TO BRACKA was just run out of it in the final furlong.

The one to note here is JUST CAMERON. Nearly put out of the race at first when two came down, Henry Brooke performing like an acrobat to stay on board, he got into contention up the final hill and still held every chance going to the last. His exertions told at this point and he lost third on the line, but is worth keeping in mind for a success soon.

UEUETEOTL raced prominently for a long while, lost his position on the bottom turn and then stayed on again late to snatch third. This pattern is not untypical of James Ewart runners and he looks forward enough to make a mark at this level before long.

The staying handicap chase (3m 2f Class 3) was won by the well exposed INCENTIVISE. He had trip and ground to suit here but will go up again for the win and things won’t get easier for this gelding who is 11 years old.

WHAT’S UP WOODY made a cracking debut for his new stable, making most of the running if not able to resist the challenge of the winner on the run-in. He jumped well and saw his race out to the line and connections will have plenty of options off his current mark of 114. His staying ability was the question but he no trouble seeing out 3m 2f.

SHOULDAVBOUGHTGOLD looked to be going best between the last two but didn’t produce enough on the flat. He looks difficult to win with and will need putting in front close home. He is probably one to oppose when placed at the sharp end of the market.

OIL BURNER ran a cracker at a class which is at least one notch above his comfort zone. He was run out of it from the last but saw his race out. He’s best with a stiff stamina test.

LIVELY BARON has gone well when fresh but bottomed out three out.

CULTRAM ABBEY was least exposed in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle and had shown a little promise. He stayed on well up the hill and won comfortably while being kept up to his work. ALL THAT REMIANS ran up to his mark in second place, holding the remainder but no chance with the winner.

LANGLEY HOUSE ran a fair enough race in third and possibly has a little bit more scope going forward than some. His win was in a Class 5 event and that is probably ideally where he needs to be.

I understand that BENEFIT IN KIND had been giving encouragement at home, and was going well when falling over fences at Hexham, but he gave way rather tamely from four out. He may want better ground than the ‘Carlisle soft’ he encountered here.

Some Carlisle novices’ events can be very decent, particularly at this time of year and the Beginners Chase over the minimum trip looked a decent signpost.

 The five here can all be taken forward as future winners.

DUKE OF NAVAN is best at short distances and his speed made the difference in the closing stages against a staying type. He jumped well enough and has a turn of pace. His trainer believes he is best on good ground, so he may be carefully placed.

URBAN HYMN is a stayer, so did well to push Duke Of Navan in a duel to the line. He looks like a chaser, a really strong type, and will step up on this once covering a decent distance of ground. He jumped very well and all-in-all this was a very encouraging chase debut by this Grade 2 hurdles winner.

MORNING ROYALTY went with the first two but found the class of the first two a bit too much from that point. A fine effort in third though and there will be plenty of easier opportunities.

HIT THE TOP had a tough task on hurdles ratings and was well held from two out. He jumped well enough though and can build on this effort.

UBALTIQUE needs holding up and couldn’t match the pace of the rest from three out. The ground on the chase course (seemed no worse than good to soft) may just have been a bit quicker than ideal since all his wins have come on soft or heavy.

BECAUSESHESAIDSO bagged the bumper in a sustained duel with COURT DISMISSED. The pair were well clear of NORTH COUNTRY BOY who ran well for a long way before giving way inside the final two furlongs. The latter should build upon this.

SOLWAY PRINCE had the best form of those that had run prior to this. Helping to share the pace he could only find one pace in the final three furlongs, but Lisa Harrison has something to work with and should place him to win races in time.

GOLD OPERA looked to be struggling at the bottom of the hill but stayed on until flattening a little in the final furlong. An encouraging effort from one who can progress with time.

RESOLUTE REFORMER was not disgraced on Rules debut back in sixth. Stuart Coltherd has some raw material to work with.

SOUTHWELL

I noted a couple from the novices’ hurdle at the Southwell meeting.

KALANE showed the field a clean pair of heels in the closing stages and looks a decent recruit to the mares’ division of the novice ranks. Her dam is a sister to Kicking King, so there’s certainly ability in the family.

McCABE CREEK was given a quiet ride by Wayne Hutchinson, but was working his way into the race when coming down three out. A first four place was certainly in the offing and there is likely to be significantly better performances from this one in the coming months.