CARLISLE
Race 2 No7 SOARING GLORY (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Former top novice hurdler SOARING GLORY makes a belated return to the fray for his debut over fences, having missed a couple of opportunities owing to unsuitable ground conditions, including at Newbury on Friday. He’s in slightly calmer waters, and having shown the ability to win first time back last season, should be ready to roll in a race where local hope Bass Rock is also worth an interest.
Race 5 No2 THE GALLOPING BEAR
Trainer: Ben Clarke – Jockey: Ben Jones
Having won off a mark 7lb higher than he competes from today (in a race after which he was disqualified) THE GALLOPING BEAR can pick up from where he left off now back over hurdles. The nine-year-old has few miles on his racing clock, and is just preferred to the well-weighted Silver Flyer.
Race 6 No3 EQUUS DREAMER
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
This stable is getting its act together and needs following on the run up to Christmas. Its contender EQUUS DREAMER is yet to finish out of the money in six outings over hurdles and fences. He has the wherewithal to develop into a better chaser and can go one better than his near miss against Bavington Bob over course and distance when last seen back in February.
LEICESTER
Race 1 No2 PERSEUS WAY (Nap)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Jamie Moore
PERSEUS WAY was thrown in at the deep end for his jumping debut at Cheltenham, where after making costly mistakes in the early stages he finished with gusto up the final hill to chase home Scriptwriter. If he performs to near that level he will make short work of his opponents and this is his to lose.
Race 3 No2 UNIT SIXTYFOUR
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
UNIT SIXTYFOUR has very few miles on the clock and plenty of scope for progression on this second outing over fences. Beaten in a photo on his debut at Uttoxeter, he can outpoint wide margin Hereford scorer Ben Brie on the way to better things.
Race 4 No1 MARBLE SANDS
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
This small but select field can be dominated at the business end by the consistent MARBLE SANDS, who pulverised his rivals to open his account over jumps at Hereford and is strongly fancied to defy a penalty against the potentially dangerous Storminhome.