12:30 Carlisle – Netywell
NETYWELL is a nicely bred son of French Sire Willywell with plenty of hurdle winners in his pedigree. He has taken his time to develop in 3 starts for Lucinda Russell but produced his best display when finishing 2nd at Ayr 5-weeks ago.
Having been settled in rear by Stephen Mulqueen, he made good late headway in the home straight to finish a never nearer 2nd, beaten less than 2 lengths. The winner, 3rd, 4th, and 5th had previously made the frame over hurdles and crucially they all raced more prominently on the tacky ground, so we can upgrade that effort.
On that evidence, Netywell should appreciate this stiffer finish at Carlisle and with a strong gallop looking likely in this field, if he can replicate his strong finish from Ayr, he should go close.
1:35 Carlisle – Houston Texas
As an 8-year-old with just 4 previous starts under rules, HOUSTON TEXAS has clearly not been the most straight forward horse to train.
A winning pointer in 2020, he didn’t pull up any trees over hurdles but the step up to 3-miles over fences at Newcastle in December brought out a remarkable improvement in him. He travelled strongly throughout that contest, which was run in a time just 7s outside the RP standard, only tiring in the latter stages to be beaten 2-lengths by Bavington Bob, who has won again since to boost the form.
Bavington Bob is now rated 125, which makes Houston Texas look extremely well treated on a mark of 104 and it will be a surprise if he can’t make his mark in Class 5 company.
