UK Horse Racing Tips: Carlisle

WELLINGTON ARCH was no match for a short-priced favourite on his hurdling bow at Exeter, but there were positives to be taken from that performance. The O'Neills' gelding will have learned plenty and is expected to go one better with the experience under his belt. Val Bassett was a winner on the Flat at Newcastle in October and might prove to be the main threat, although Tech That shaped with promise on his sole bumper start and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Wellington Arch 2nd Val Bassett 3rd Tech That

Point-to-point winner STYLISH RECRUIT gained a narrow success over hurdles at Hexham in June, but chasing ought to be more his game and it would come as no surprise were Sandy Thomson's gelding to find the required improvement. Disco Annie found Listed company a step too far at Newbury, but she is of interest now sent over the larger obstacles. Market support for useful hurdler Cold Sobar would be noteworthy following a 429-day absence.
Prediction : 1st Stylish Recruit 2nd Disco Annie 3rd Cold Sobar

Not the deepest of contests and preference is for LATHAN, who was still in contention when coming to grief two from home at Wetherby last month, a day after winning at Newcastle. An opening mark of 98 looks fair and he might not need much further improvement to land the spoils. Independent Jimmy kept on for fourth over 2m1f here in October and is an interesting contender now upped in trip, along with handicap debutant Deep Strato.
Prediction : 1st Lathan 2nd Independent Jimmy 3rd Deep Strato

This looks a tricky heat to solve so only a tentative vote goes to LOUNGE LIZARD. He finished an excellent second in a hot handicap chase at Cheltenham before going one better at Huntingdon in March. Upped 3lb, he gets the nod to pick up where he left off on his reappearance. Recent course winner Flic Ou Voyou looks a danger off 6lb higher, although there is a suspicion that he may have enjoyed the run of the race on that occasion. William Of York is also noteworthy.
Prediction : 1st Lounge Lizard 2nd Flic Ou Voyou 3rd William Of York

This step up in trip could be the making of D ART D ART, who caught the eye when a staying-on third over an extended 2m6f at Navan and he looks the one to side with, despite a 7lb higher mark. Gwennie May Boy only got as far as the fourth on his seasonal reappearance at Haydock, but he was progressive last season and it will be no surprise if he is able to make his presence felt off a career-high mark. Icare Allen is also a key player.
Prediction : 1st D Art D Art 2nd Gwennie May Boy 3rd Icare Allen

The key to this race could be the recent clash here between GIPSY LEE ROSE (first) and Croagh Patrick (second), with the latter 4lb better off for a three-and-a-quarter-length defeat. Nick Alexander's mare is still taken to come out on top again and it may be that Rock Of Star gives her the most to think about, despite falling when well fancied on his stable debut here in October.
Prediction : 1st Gipsy Lee Rose 2nd Rock Of Star 3rd Croagh Patrick

A promising fourth on debut here when only weakening late in the piece, OH CLARE is likely to have plenty of improvement forthcoming and this appeals as an ideal opportunity to get off the mark. Down the field in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham first time out, Crying Lightning should appreciate this drop in grade, while the well-related Gintime could be the pick of the newcomers for the in-form Nicky Richards team. Little Wren and Smile Back can be monitored for market support as well.
Prediction : 1st Oh Clare 2nd Crying Lightning 3rd Gintime