There is significant rain forecast overnight at Carlisle on top of ground given as a mix of good to firm, good and good to soft so take your pick.
There are no prices available on the opening 2m 4f novice chase which looks a match between Irish raider So Scottish and Stoners Choice. The latter is rated 5lbs higher in the ratings but if there was a bit of ease in the ground, I think So Scottish would be a good thing.
2.10 Kempton
FRINGILL DIKE has been tremendously well placed to win three of his five starts over hurdles yet can still race from a mark of 119. That hat-trick of victories and his Bumper win came at Hexham although it should be noted that he went down by less than a couple of lengths to Barichello – rated 134 – on his first completed start over timber at Newcastle.
He was only in receipt of 3lbs at Gosforth Park and has improved since which suggests to me that he could be well treated from his current mark although I appreciate, he has to transfer the form to a right-hand track.
I would also recommend we keep a close eye on the betting with regard to Sunset West – 8/1 at the time of writing – and I make no apologies for suggesting we save on Phil Kirby’s 7-y-old if the market speaks in his favour. He must go right-handed, would appreciate any overnight rain although this 2m 1f trip might just be on the sharp side for his reappearance. He has gone well fresh in the past.
Recommendation: Fringill Dike at 7/2 with William Hill
3.20 Carlisle
COOPERS CROSS carries top-weight, does not have a great record freshand has never raced right-handed under rules, but he did win a point-to-point at right-handed Ballingaryin his native Ireland.
Stuart Colthard had a fancied runner – Hidden Commander – run as if perhaps just in need of the run at Sedgefield earlier in the month and he hasn’t saddled a winner for over four months, but I am of the opinion that Coopers Cross is a 130+ rated chaser in the making. He may need the run but please do keep him onside in the weeks and months to come.
Recommendation: Coopers Cross at 3/1 with William Hill
3.05 Southwell
REDZONE has an excellent record fresh, boasts an unbeaten record at the track and gets the each way vote for Bryan Smart returning from an 80-day break in the competitive 6f handicap. At the time of writing the stable have finished second with their last couple of inmates and they could do with a change of luck.
Twilight Secret heads the market and he has been running well on tapeta in recent weeks. This slow surface should suit Grant Tuer’s 4-y-old who is having his first start at the track.
Recommendation: Redzone EW at 7/1 with William Hill
4.50 Southwell
I am prepared to give YAGAN another chance having failed to fire back on polytrack at Chelmsford last time although he was too far back and met trouble in running. He is 1lb lower in the weights and he looked to have found his niche when scoring from a 3lbs lower mark on his penultimate start. The ew selection has a good draw in stall four and is Sir Mark Prescott’s only runner at the track
Recommendation: Yagan EW at 7/1 with William Hill
