1:35 Carlisle – Your Own Story
A novice hurdle over 3-miles and 1-furlong requires plenty of stamina and with a pedigree full of staying chasers, YOUR OWN STORY should find this test exactly what he needs. Lucinda Russell’s 6-year-old has already won twice in point-to-points, including on soft ground at Moig South in November when he stayed on strongly to beat subsequent Clonmel winner Three Loud Knocks by 4-lengths. He made his debut over hurdles at Ayr last month, where he was only beaten a length in a race that wasn’t run to suit. He was forced to make the running and the riders were keen to go a steady gallop in the heavy conditions. As a result, the race turned into a sprint in the home straight and he was unlucky not to hold on in the closing stages. The longer trip and stiffer finish at Carlisle should help him and with others in the race who are likely to give him a lead, he has a good chance of breaking his maiden tag.
2:10 Carlisle – Royal Arcade
Nicky Richards has a 26% strike rate at Carlisle this season, returning +£18.21 to a £1 stake on the Tote and he could add to that impressive return with ROYAL ARCADE in this Novices’ Handicap Chase. A winner of a bumper on this card 12-months ago, his connections have wasted very little time in going over fences with him this season and he has run with credit in 3 chase starts at Ayr, finishing 5th, 2nd, and 3rd. The step up in trip could be the key to this horse, who is half-brother to several winners over 3-miles and beyond and the stiff finish at Carlisle should help his cause. A mark of 118 looks very fair based on what he has achieved so far and with the yard operating at a 36% strike rate in the last 14-days, he looks sure to go well.
