2:10 Carlisle – Parisencore
Having finished 2nd on each of his last 4 starts, it is fair to say that PARISENCORE has been a frustrating horse to follow. In his defence, he has improved with each start over hurdles, but has been unlucky to run in Novice hurdles against some above average, progressive rivals. He finished in front of 3 subsequent winners on his comeback at Kelso in October, before chasing home Since Day One at Newcastle in November, a horse who went on to win his next 2 starts before finishing 2nd in the Scottish Supreme at Musselburgh. Whilst his 2nd placed finish at Ayr last time out has also been boosted by the 3rd placed horse Douglas Talking winning his next 2 starts. With so much solid form in the book, Nicky Richards charge is due a change of luck and if the 8-week break has freshened him up, he could gain a deserved victory in a race that looks weak in comparison to those he ran in back in the autumn.
4:30 Carlisle – En Meme Temps
Another horse who has been unlucky not to get his head in front so far this season, EN MEME TEMPS has only won once in 20 starts under rules, but he has finished in the first 3 on 10 of those starts and can certainly be considered well treated on his current mark. He is relatively lightly raced over fences and given that he has run well consistently on marks in the mid-120s over hurdles, there is reason to believe he can make his mark at this level. He finished 3rd of 4 at Kelso last time, when he travelled like the winner for most of the race but was inconvenienced by the last 2 fences being omitted due to the low sun. Having made good headway to challenge at the 4th last, he wasn’t able to sustain his effort and was outstayed on the 6-furlong run-in. He is a sound jumper and is best forgiven that effort, given another 1lb back by the handicapper he should go close.
