Tag Archive for: Carlisle

Patrick Mullins ticks off Carlisle and provides Lossiemouth update

Patrick Mullins’ tour of UK racetracks took him to Carlisle on Monday where More Coko cruised to victory in the Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle.

Mullins would love to tick off a winner at all 41 National Hunt venues but he still has some way to go, with the Cumbrian venue the 14th at which he has been successful.

There has been a recent spurt, however, with Catterick and Wetherby only just ticked off – and with Newcastle possibly on the horizon, he might not take as long as most, given the ammunition at his disposal from his father Willie’s Closutton base.

“Everyone always says it’s one of the best chase tracks in the country, it’s my first time here but it’s a brilliant track and I’d love to come back and ride over fences one day,” said Mullins after guiding 1-5 chance More Coko to an easy victory.

More Coko was never out of second gear
More Coko was never out of second gear (Martin Rickett/PA)

“I’ve got 14 jumps tracks ticked off, I’ve a winner at Epsom as well but we won’t shout about that one. I think there’s 41, so if I can tick off five or six a year, we might get there. It’s a nice adventure to try, anyway.

“My dad might now know I’m here! This fellow is a homebred, my mother owned him and there’s a few there where I know the owners (that could come over), but I don’t think there’s the next Kopek Des Bordes or anything.

“The boys who bought him, Paul and John, are Irish but they are based in England, so it suited them to come over. I might have a mare in Newcastle next week and something for Kelso in March.”

While the leading amateur rider was without a winner himself at the Dublin Racing Festival, it was a successful two days for his father, with the likes of Galopin Des Champs, State Man, Majborough, Kopek Des Bordes, Final Demand and Bambino Fever highlighting their Cheltenham claims.

Kopek Des Bordes looked imperious at Leopardstown
Kopek Des Bordes looked imperious at Leopardstown (Evan Treacy/PA)

The assistant trainer told Racing TV: “Considering how keen Kopek was in the race, I think you can upgrade his form.

“We hadn’t opened Final Demand up at home, we don’t need to know, you wouldn’t swap either of them.

“Galopin is the masterpiece of Willie’s career for me, we’re so lucky to have him. That fall he had at Cheltenham a few years ago made him into the pro he is, his jumping is like playing on a PlayStation, you just press X and he pops over.

“He got a great reception, it was like the Hurricane Fly days.”

There were a couple of mishaps too, in Lossiemouth and El Fabiolo, but they appear to have escaped injury.

“Lossiemouth was home last night, she was a bit stiff and sorry for herself but fine. She was lucky, from where I was 100 yards back, I thought she might not get up,” said Mullins of the Irish Champion Hurdle faller.

“It’s not ideal but the only silver lining I can see is that they were going to give each other a grueller of a race. Paul (Townend) said State Man just switched off after and hacked home.

“I suppose it was a big ask for El Fabiolo after a year off but he got up and he was fine. I’m hoping, a bit like Galopin, it might teach him, because he didn’t fall at Cheltenham, he just made a bad mistake and was pulled up. He might pick up his feet next time.”



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Caldwell Potter sparkles on Carlisle chasing bow

Caldwell Potter took everything in his stride to win his chasing debut in good style at Carlisle.

The grey changed hands for a staggering €740,000 in February after a successful hurdling career in which he won at Grade One level for previous trainer Gordon Elliott.

He had not been seen since that Leopardstown win last Christmas, having missed an Aintree run and been patiently prepared for his first outing over fences for new handler Paul Nicholls.

That debut came in the Myles Turns 30 Novices’ Chase over two miles and under Harry Cobden he was the 2-11 favourite in a field of seven.

He made all of the running and jumped well on the whole, holding off his rivals with very little effort and eventually cantering to a five-length victory with the minimum of fuss.

The six-year-old is now 20-1 from 25-1 with Coral for the Arkle, and unchanged at 16-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

“That was a good start, it was just what we wanted,” said Nicholls.

“He jumped nicely, he won well, that’s the first rung of the ladder and I’m obviously really pleased with him.

“He’s got to learn, that was only his fourth run over jumps as he ran three times over hurdles.

“He’s relatively inexperienced so we’ve just got to build that experience now, get him some practice and quietly creep on.

“I haven’t made a plan. Everyone will want to know where he goes next but I haven’t made that decision, we’ve got some valuable experience there.

“That was just the job, just the start we wanted.”



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Nells Son capitalises on Kalif Du Berlais mishap at Carlisle

Locally trained Nells Son ran out a game winner of the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase at Carlisle after Kalif Du Berlais suffered a heavy fall on his debut over fences.

Paul Nicholls’ heavily-backed gelding, a three-time winner over hurdles, including the Grade Two Adonis at Kempton, was sent off the 4-11 favourite at the Cumbrian track.

He put in a solid round of jumping before paying for one mistake with a nasty-looking fall four fences from home, with both the horse and jockey Harry Cobden thankfully getting to their feet.

The fall hampered Nells Son, leaving the Dan Skelton-trained Unexpected Party clear and he was shaken up to take the final obstacle a length in front.

However, Unexpected Party was slowly reeled in by 12-1 chance Nells Son on the run-in, with Nicky Richards’ nine-year-old getting his nose in front in the final 100 yards to come home a length clear.

Gavin Cromwell’s Irish raider Path d’Oroux was the last of the three finishers, 13 lengths adrift.

Richards will take his time with Nells Son, with an assignment at Cheltenham next month a potential target.

He said: “I knew he was in grand order. Obviously, he was wrong (at the weights) with a few of them, but he wasn’t that far wrong.

“He settled into a lovely rhythm and it panned out lovely for us. I don’t know if we’d have beaten Mr Nicholls’ horse, but we’ll take a nice prize and he’s had his day in the sun today anyway.

“He’s a horse that probably wants to be fresh in himself, so we probably won’t rush forward. He acts on a bit of soft ground as well, so we’re not forced to do anything with him for six weeks or so.

“We’ll freshen him up nicely and there might be a race for him at the December meeting at Cheltenham or something like that.

“We’ll just let the dust settle and make a plan, but he’s very versatile track-wise and he’s a very consistent horse, so hopefully he’ll have another nice day.”

Nicholls later posted on X: “Thank you for everyone’s concerns but thankfully Kalif Du Berlais is fine and on his way home after a full veterinary check.”



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Tix Picks, Monday 11/11/24

Monday's UK placepots can be played via Tix at Carlisle, Kempton, Newcastle & Wolverhampton

But, what is Tix?

A video explainer can be found here.

You need a tote account to use Tix. Sign up for one here >

A few more pointers can be found in these articles:

https://www.geegeez.co.uk/exotic-betting-multi-race-bets-part-1/

https://www.geegeez.co.uk/exotic-betting-multi-race-bets-part-2/

Today's pools

Today's UK meetings, pools and minimum guarantees are as follows...

And with Carlisle having the biggest guaranteed pot, let's head there for the following six races on good ground...

12.00 Carlisle, a 3-runner, Class 3, 4yo+ handicap chase over 2m4f...

Only 3 run here and Pic Roc makes a chase debut after finishing 2122 over hurdles. The last two runner-up finished were in 17-runner Class 1 & 2 handicaps, whilst he was a Class 2 winner at Ascot in February.

Asta La Pasta was a decent third of eight on chase debut at Ffos Las eighteen months ago despite not having raced for seven months, so he should strip fitter for the run and also benefit from the chasing experience.

Kilta actually won a 3-runner, Class 3 handicap on chase debut back in May, but was last of five beaten by 28 lengths next time out and went down by a similar margin in his last effort.

I don't want to crash out on race 1, so I'll definitely take two out of three here and Kilta looks weakest and is there omitted in favour of (1) Pic Roc & (2) Asta La Pasta.

12.30 Carlisle, a 9-runner, Class 4, 4yo+ maiden hurdle over 2m1½f...

It's a maiden hurdle, but No Questions Asked has won under Rules already, when landing a bumper at Market Rasen on debut back in February and was beaten by less than six lengths on his only other outing when a very commendable 6th of 18 in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree. Anything like that kind of run should be enough here providing he can jump, of course. That said, he did win his sole PTP contest.

Donald McCain also sends a pair of PTP winners here in the shape of top weight Barrabooka and also Cahier's Den and based on jockey bookings, the former looks the yard's #1 in this one. Willie Shake Hands was pulled up on hurdles debut at Sedgefield three weeks ago coming back from more than six months off, but had shown promise when third in a Naas bumper back in April.

Elsewhere, bottom weight Beorma is an interesting sort making a yard debut for the Skeltons after three fairly modest runs in bumpers for Tom Gallagher. I suspect they'll make something out of hi, but that might take some time.

On paper, (7) No Questions Asked should be winning this with plenty in hand and I'd expect the McCain stablemates (1) Barrabooka and (3) Cahier's Den to put up the most resistance.

1.00 Carlisle, an 8-runner, Class 4, 4yo+ maiden hurdle over 2m1½f...

Division two of the above maiden hurdle also features a pair of Donald McCain racecourse debutants coming off the back of a decent PTP run. Jockey bookings suggest Idaho Valley is the pick of the two and he won at Tallow back in February, whilst stablemate Bo Cruz was a runner-up at Borris House.

Idaho Valley is a half brother to Toss Again, a four-time winner over 2m6f to 2m7f, so he might well need further in time. Of those with track experience, Jet To Vegas was a runner-up beaten by just a length and a quarter at Carlisle last month, whilst We're Red And Blue won a bumper on debut at Hereford in February and was a runner-up at Uttoxeter on his second start over hurdles just over three weeks ago, beaten by just a length and a half.

As with the previous race, I'm going with both of the McCain debutants ie (2) Bo Cruz and (6) Idaho Valley along with the in-form (9) We're Red And Blue, who is backed up by these stats...

1.30 Carlisle, an 11-runner, Class 5, 4yo+ handicap hurdle over 2m4f...

Joie More was a runner-up in an 8-runner hurdle at Kelso back in March and made a commendable seasonal reappearance 228 days later when beaten by 7.5 lengths here over course and distance on handicap debut last month and he should come on for the run having been eased 2lbs in the ratings. She's Not Joeking makes a handicap debut after finishes of 213 over hurdles and she did win on her bumper debut. She was third of fourteen at Hexham last time out, despite having not raced for almost six months, so my only concern for her here is that all her form is on ground softer than this.

Horsesomeharry showed little in his three outings (P66) in the spring, but is expected to appreciate the extra half mile here down in class, in first-time cheekpieces and on handicap debut for a yard with a good record with both handicap debutants and those coming back from a break....

Ruler Legend has already won a handicap hurdle, scoring at Huntingdon back in March and has prepared for this race by running in a heavy ground, Class 3, flat handicap at Newbury over 1m4f seventeen days ago. he overcame a six-month break to finish fourth of the eleven runners and that run should help him here for an in-form yard...

My place shortlist is completed by Get A Superstar, who always seems to be on the premises even if he has only won once to date. His bumper form read 421 and despite being pulled up on his hurdles debut back in January he has finished 434444 since, so you'd expect him to be knocking on the door again here.

I can make a case for all of the above, but I'm more drawn to (5) She's Not Joeking, (8) Ruler Legend & (9) Get A Superstar today. The latter might well finish fourth yet again opening the door for Horsesomeharry, but I don't want to take four runners from this one.

2.00 Carlisle, a 4-runner, Class 2, 4yo+ graduation chase over 2m...

I didn't want to take four runners from the above race, because I feel like I need to take three from four here to be safe. I could cut to the chase (sorry!) and just say that Nells Son is going to be my odd one out, despite having won two of his last six over fences, but I feel the other trio have more to offer today.

Unexpected Party won the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham festival this year and although last home of five last time out, that race was (a) the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase at Aintree last month, (b) over a half mile further than today and 9c) off the back of a 199-day absence.

Path D'oroux won on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham less than three weeks ago in a novice contest and finished last season with results reading 2335 in Listed/Class 1 handicap chases, so he's definitely got ability.

Paul Nicholls' Kalif du Berlais becomes the latest in a long line of Berlais' to tackle fences. This one comes here after just three efforts over hurdles that saw him win a Class 2 on debut at Kempton back in January followed by a Grade 2 success in the Adonis over the same track/trip six weeks later before closing his debut season seven months ago by finishing third in an Aintree Grade 1 contest. His fitness/jumping will be taken on trust, but he's from a good yard and the Berlais name carries weight!

2.30 Carlisle, a 10-runner, Class 4, 3yo+ handicap hurdle over 2m1½f...

Knowmorediamonds was a course and distance runner-up beaten by just a neck on handicap debut 25 days ago and should be involved again despite a 4lbs rise. Strictly Tango's three qualifying runs have seen him finish 331 over hurdles, scoring over 2m1f at Sedgefield just over a month ago.

Diamond Koda is another of those runners who always seems to be on the premises. He has raced three times over hurdles and in three bumpers so far finishing as runner-up five times in total, having unseated at the first two starts ago. He hasn't raced for seven months, but the horse that beat him that day has won again since and a mark of 106 (less a 5lb jockey claim) might not be too onerous on handicap debut.

Dino Baggio won two of four bumpers and raced in a Listed bumper at 2023's Cheltenham January meeting and at Grade 2 at that year's Aintree Festival although well beaten in both. His two bumper wins suggested he'd go well over hurdles, but was pulled up on his first attempt just over a ear ago and could only manage 10th of 14 in January before being sent back to the sheds. He reappeared here at Carlisle last month, though with his best hurdles effort to date, defying a nine month absence to finish fourth of ten and his mark of 96 could also be low.

These are the four that interest me the most and although I've gone with a few Donald McCain horses earlier in the card, it's his Dino Baggio that just fails to make the cut here...

*

All of which gives me...

Leg 1: (1) Pic Roc & (2) Asta La Pasta

Leg 2: (1) Barrabooka, (3) Cahier's Den & (7) No Questions Asked

Leg 3: (2) Bo Cruz, (6) Idaho Valley & (9) We're Red And Blue

Leg 4: (5) She's Not Joeking, (8) Ruler Legend & (9) Get A Superstar

Leg 5: (2) Unexpected Party, (3) Path D'oroux & (4) Kalif du Berlais

Leg 6: (1) Knowmorediamonds, (2) Strictly Tango & (4) Diamond Koda

...and here's how I'd play them, whilst trying to stay close to a nominal £20 total stake...

Good Luck!
Chris



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Marble Sands shines in Colin Parker contest

Marble Sands made a successful switch back to the National Hunt code to land the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle.

The grey, who is trained by David Killahena and Graeme McPherson, made his last two starts in all-weather Flat contests after a novice chasing campaign last season.

His form includes a Listed win over hurdles plus some decent graded efforts and in a field of four he was a 15-8 chance under Kielan Woods.

He was held up at the rear of the quartet but was never out of touch, progressing to take on 11-8 favourite Colonel Harry in the latter stages of the race.

The two horses looked to have battle on their hands but Marble Sands outjumped his rival and stayed on best of all to secure a three-and-three-quarter-length victory.

“I’m absolutely delighted, we’ve had the race in mind for a good while for him,” said McPherson.

“The conditions looked perfect, he obviously won a couple last year but he didn’t carry a penalty, he was going to go there off a nice weight.

“The trip looked spot on, the ground is always a worry at this time of year but the last dry couple of weeks made it perfect.

“The stars aligned for him and it was a great place to start a second season of chasing.

“He is so consistent, he’s run in a few graded races but if you take those out of the mix, he’s barely been out of the top three for the past four years.

“He tries his heart out, he’s a dream to train and I just wish I had a yard full of them.

“I bought him as a three-year-old at the stores sales and just fell in love with him, I’m so pleased he’s turned out to be the horse he is.”

As for next steps, the co-trainer added: “It really only is pencilled in, but there’s the Rehearsal Chase at the end of November up at Newcastle.

“We’ve always thought he’ll get further, he’ll get the best part of three miles but he doesn’t like it very soft, so if it did get that way we’d have to think again.”

There was another Listed event on the card in the Houghton Mares’ Chase, which was won by Lucy Wadham’s Terresita at 5-1 under Gavin Sheehan after the duo took the scalp of 6-4 favourite Galia Des Liteaux.



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Iroko team favouring Colin Parker tilt

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s stable star Iroko is set to sidestep the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday in favour of an appearance at Carlisle the following afternoon.

Placed at Grade One level over hurdles a couple of seasons ago, the JP McManus-owned six-year-old made an impressive start to his chasing career last November before suffering a setback that was initially expected to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

However, he did return in the spring, finishing fifth in the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before bettering that effort by finishing second at Aintree.

Iroko is poised to make his comeback this weekend and the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase, rather than Saturday’s West Yorkshire feature, appears the favoured option.

“We’re hoping to go to Carlisle,” said Greenall.

“He’s in good form. He’s not flashy at home so it’s always hard to tell, but he’s done plenty of work and has taken it well.

“He’ll improve for a run. There’s another intermediate chase I think at Haydock on Betfair Chase day, so if all went well he could go there.”



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Buick delighted to add Carlisle to his list of winning tracks

A first visit to Carlisle paid dividends for William Buick after the dual champion jockey bagged a double, highlighted by an impressive success for Bountiful in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes.

A winner at Thirsk last month, George Boughey’s filly was sent off at 100-30 to follow up at the Cumbrian venue – and did so in some style against a quartet of colts.

Buick cut a confident figure in the saddle throughout the six-furlong contest, and the further the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned Bountiful went the better she looked, with just under five lengths separating her and the 125-1 runner-up Cugini at the line.

“She did it really well. I’ve never ridden here before, so it’s nice to be here and tick one off the list,” said Buick, who also claimed the concluding Great Community Raceday Saturday 6th July Fillies’ Handicap with Sir Michael Stoute’s Red Pixie (11-8 favourite.

“George was pretty confident beforehand and I think fast ground is key to her. She was well placed to win a nice prize today and she’s beaten colts.

“The track is fine and the ground is beautiful, proper summer ground with a good covering grass. There’s a good crowd, it’s their biggest day of the year and it’s nice to ride a winner.

“There’s only here and Ayr I hadn’t been to before, so now I’ve only got Ayr missing.”

Jabaara won the Eternal Stakes at Carlisle under James Doyle
Jabaara won the Eternal Stakes at Carlisle under James Doyle (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Buick was joined on the long trip north by James Doyle, who fresh from riding four winners at Royal Ascot last week enjoyed his first Carlisle winner in well over a decade aboard Jabaara in the £47,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Eternal Stakes.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel was a 6-4 shot to make it back-to-back Listed wins for Roger Varian following her victory in the Queen Of Scots Fillies’ Stakes at Musselburgh earlier in the month. And while market rival Key To Cotai briefly threatened to make a race of it, Jabaara found plenty for pressure in front to see her off by a length and a quarter.

Doyle said: “It was nice and straightforward, they didn’t go overly quick and I thought the leader dictated a bit and I was stuck out a bit wide. I couldn’t push on too much early, but I was keen once we got balanced to let her on as I didn’t want anything getting first jump on us.

“She doesn’t do a whole lot in front, she was similar at Musselburgh the last day. Roger has placed her nicely and she’s knocked off a couple of Listed races now.

“Last time I was here the weighing room was on the other side of the parade ring, so it’s at least 14 years ago. It’s always nice to come to these northern tracks, the crowd here today is brilliant and everyone is getting pictures and conversing with you. It’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?”

The historic Stablemate By AGMA Carlisle Bell went the way of David O’Meara’s stable stalwart Orbaan.

The one-mile feature is one of the track’s most prestigious races, with the two bells on offer to the winner reputed to be the oldest sporting trophy in the world, having first been presented in 1599 when Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne.

Orbaan was rated as high as 104 at his peak and made the most of his falling mark of 81 with a one-and-a-quarter-length win in the hands of Danny Tudhope.

The victory was a bittersweet one for connections after another veteran yard favourite, Star Shield, was fatally injured in the preceding Racing Staff Week Carlisle Bell Consolation Handicap, won by Tim Easterby’s Barley (11-2).

Of Orbaan, Tudhope said: “He’s a nine-year-old now and dropping class and deserves to win a race like this.”

Sea The Thunder won the Cumberland Plate at Carlisle (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Sea The Thunder readily justified favouritism in the Stablemate By AGMA Cumberland Plate.

Ralph Beckett’s three-year-old was a 2-1 market leader off the back of placed efforts at Newmarket and Leicester and after taking a command halfway up the straight, he showed his older rivals the way home by a length and a half.

Winning jockey Hector Crouch said: “It’s nice to get his head in front, he’d been running well without winning.

“He’s been well placed and enjoyed a relatively easy lead and knuckled down well.

“He’s still a big baby – you can see how large he is and he’s raw. He’s only going to come forwards.”

Newcomer Two Shoes (16-1) obliged as trainer Julie Camacho’s first two-year-old runner of the season in the opening Alan Jennings Last Orders Memorial Restricted Maiden Stakes, lunging late to deny Cracking Man by a neck.

Camacho’s husband and assistant, Steve Brown, said: “She’s started nicely, She looked a bit green but once she got organised, she’s really come home well.

“She’s not fully wound up and will improve, and she’ll probably get another furlong.”



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Early inspections at Leopardstown and Carlisle

Leopardstown’s high-profile meeting on Sunday, due to feature a recognised Derby trial in the P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes, will have to pass a 7.30am inspection if it is to go ahead.

The Group Three contest has thrown up several top-class performers over the years, including three subsequent Epsom winners in Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002) and Harzand (2016).

Leopardstown is also due to stage two other Group Three events in the Ballylinch Stud “Red Rocks” Stakes and the Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” Stakes, but the prospect of further rain falling on already heavy ground has prompted IHRB clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer to call a morning check.

He said: “Following three millimetres of rain since declarations, the track at Leopardstown is heavy and fit for racing at present.

“According to Met Eireann, there is the potential for a further three to five millimetres of rain throughout today into tomorrow, as well as the high winds associated with Storm Kathleen today.

“Due to the current adverse weather conditions, we will have a 7.30am inspection on Sunday morning to assess the situation.”

Downpatrick’s meeting on Sunday has already been cancelled, while officials at Carlisle have announced a precautionary inspection for 7am ahead of the scheduled final day of the Go North Series Finals.

Saturday’s meeting at Uttoxeter was given the go-ahead following a morning check, but racing at the Curragh was called off due to waterlogging.

Tuesday’s Flat meeting at Navan has been called off, while Hexham’s jumps card on the same day also looks in serious doubt, with officials calling an inspection for 7.30am on Sunday.

Looking even further ahead, officials at Leicester have announced an inspection for 8am on Tuesday ahead of the track’s scheduled fixture on Friday, with the course currently waterlogged and unraceable.



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Fairyhouse and Carlisle fit to race

Fairyhouse and Carlisle have been given the green light to race this afternoon, but the meetings at Leicester and Southwell have been lost to the cold weather.

Day two of the Fairyhouse Winter Festival, which features a trio of Grade One contests, has survived the threat of frost and a dense fog.

Clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said: “The fog has lifted, even a little earlier than Met Eireann said it would, which is great.

“You can see the full length of the straight here now and you can also see right around Ballyhack.

“As you know, fog is a bit tricky and it can come and go, but at this point in time, we don’t envisage any more problems.

“We’re in a good place now and we’re all good to go.”

Sheridan had earlier reported on the IHRB Twitter site: “Thankfully, the frost didn’t set in overnight.

“The ground on both tracks is soft. We’ve a completely fresh hurdles and bumper track and we’ve seven or eight yards of fresh ground on the chase track.”

Parts of Cumbria were hit by heavy snowfall overnight but Carlisle passed an early-morning inspection, although racegoers have been warned to be careful on the surrounding roads.

Southwell’s ‘bumpers for jumpers’ card had to be called off after three inches of snow on the track and surrounding areas proved too much to clear.

Leicester were forced to abandon their National Hunt meeting due to the current cold snap.

Monday’s card at Ayr has also fallen, with parts of the track frozen and temperatures set to drop again tonight.



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Bangor added to list of Storm Debi casualties

Wednesday’s meeting at Bangor has become the latest victim of Storm Debi, with officials left with no option but to call off the course’s most high-profile fixture of the season due to a waterlogged track.

The Wrexham circuit was due to stage a seven-race card featuring the Listed Yorton’s “Postponed” Mares’ Novices’ Chase and a handful of competitive handicaps.

But with Storm Debi bringing significant rainfall, there is now standing water on parts of the course and, with no prospect of sufficient improvement, the meeting has been abandoned.

Carlisle’s Monday fixture and a quality card at Fairyhouse on Tuesday also fell to the wet and wild weather that is sweeping across Britain and Ireland.

Fairyhouse was set to play host to the chasing debut of the top-class Gaelic Warrior, but torrential rain overnight has left the course unraceable.

Horse Racing Ireland later announced there will be a replacement National Hunt meeting at Fairyhouse on Friday, November 24.

Uttoxeter, which has been unable to host any racing since October 8, is hoping to stage an all-hurdle card on Saturday after an inspection of its chase track concluded that the two races over fences would be unable to take place.



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Fairyhouse off as Storm Debi hits

The chasing debut of the exciting Gaelic Warrior has been put on temporary hold with the meeting at Fairyhouse on Tuesday called off due to waterlogging.

Willie Mullins had chosen the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase CLG Beginners Chase as the starting point for Gaelic Warrior’s new discipline but torrential rain overnight has left the course unraceable.

Brendan Sheridan, clerk of the course at Fairyhouse said: “Following 20mm of rain overnight, which was more rain than was originally forecast for Fairyhouse, the track is now unfit for racing and the fixture scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled.

“We needed the rainfall to come up short of what was forecast but unfortunately we got slightly more and the track will not be raceable in time for tomorrow due to that volume of rain on ground that was already soft, heavy in places.

“We will liaise with Horse Racing Ireland about the possibility of rescheduling the fixture.”

The meeting at Carlisle on Monday was also abandoned as Storm Debi begins to take its toll on sporting fixtures.

Uttoxeter, which has been unable to stage any racing since October 8, is hoping to stage an all-hurdle card on Saturday after an inspection of its chase track concluded that the two races over fences would be unable to take place.

An inspection will be held at 2pm on Monday to assess the situation at Bangor ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with areas of standing water on the track.



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Thunder Rock set to stick to chasing route after Colin Parker triumph

Thunder Rock got his season off to a perfect start with victory in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle.

The seven-year-old was placed in graded company on multiple occasions last term after winning his first two outings over fences, rounding off his campaign with a length-and-three-quarter second in an Ayr Grade Two.

Beauport and Monbeg Genius were both non runners in the Carlisle, leaving just four runners to go to post with Thunder Rock sent off the 11-8 favourite in the hands of Sean Bowen.

Mahler Mission set out to make all in his usual style and it looked as though he might well prevail with two fences to jump as both Thunder Rock and Bill Baxter were under pressure.

However, Thunder Rock kept finding for Bowen on the run to the last, taking the final obstacle slightly ahead before pulling away from Mahler Mission on the run to the line to win by three and a half lengths. Bill Baxter was a further 10 lengths back in third, with the other runner, Bass Rock, pulled up.

Thunder Rock won four of his six hurdles starts for trainer Olly Murphy in the 2021-22 season and the trainer admitted he could well have turned the gelding’s attentions back to the smaller obstacles had he met with defeat in Cumbria.

He said: “He’s a horse with a big engine and we were kind of coming here today thinking if he wins, great, but if he doesn’t we will probably go back over hurdles. You can see he’s not the most robust horse in the world but he’s a got a big heart and he wants it and when a horse wants it, you’re sort of three-quarters of the way there.

“Where we go from today, I haven’t a clue. I discussed the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury with Max (McNeill, part-owner) and I just thought maybe a 20-runner handicap probably wouldn’t be for him. He’s (rated) 146 and I would imagine he will go up to the guts of 150 after today.

“I don’t know, off his rating he’s a horse that probably wants to step up into proper open graded company. There’s a Grade Two at Ascot over Christmas, I don’t know, something along the lines of that and see where we go.

“It’s very early to be talking about the Ryanair, but it’s the first step up the ladder, he’s a horse we will definitely keep chasing for the time being.

“He’s a gritty horse and I would love to have another 10 like him, he has a fantastic attitude, Sean got a good tune out of him and he’s giving his owners a lot of fun.”

McNeill is looking forward to seeing how far Thunder Rock can go now he is set on a chasing course.

He said: “It was a bit of a cup final for him today in terms of where do we go. You know, you’re standing at the station and could we go left or right – do we stick over hurdles if he didn’t run well today or were we going to keep over fences?

“On that performance, he missed the third last a bit, but I think he’s going to have to stay over fences. He’s an exciting prospect, he really is – I mean he was nearly there last year wasn’t he?”

Paddy Power cut Johnnywho to 16-1 from 20s for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival following an easy victory in the Beaumont Novices’ Hurdle.

Trained by Jonjo O’Neill and ridden by his son Jonjo jnr, the 4-5 favourite beat Moon D’Orange by two lengths having barely come off the bridle.



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Member of ground staff at Carlisle knocked over leaving track at the start

A member of the ground staff at Carlisle avoided serious injury in a nasty incident at the start of the seventh race on Thursday.

The man jogged across in front of the tape, but was still in the process of leaving the track when the tapes went up and was immediately knocked over as the runners set off, sent tumbling across the ground as the field galloped on.

A report from the stewards read: “An inquiry was held to consider the circumstances as to why a member of the ground staff had crossed the track at the start as the race was started resulting in his being knocked over by Euchan Falls.

“The clerk of the course, the member of ground staff, the starters and Gavin Sheehan, the rider of Euchan Falls, unplaced, were interviewed.

“Having heard their evidence and having reviewed video recording of the incident, the matter was forwarded to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.”

A statement from Carlisle Racecourse read: “Following the start of today’s 5.05pm (race), a member of our team was attended to by the medical team at the start and received further assessment in the racecourse medical room. There are no indications he has any lasting injuries and he is in good spirits.”

On a dramatic afternoon of National Hunt action, jockey Daire Davis was banned for 21 days at Ludlow for improper riding.

Daire was leading on Faha Belle in the fifth race of the day, but in moving right-handed – and about to take the wrong course – he clipped heels with Von Hallers who unseated David Bass. Daire corrected his mount to take the correct course, but in doing so ran into a group of other runners with his mount falling having gone through the rail.

Daire himself crashed into the Tom Bellamy-ridden Kit’s Coty, leading to Bellamy unseating.



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McDonald keeps up Royal Ascot momentum with Carlisle Listed strike

PJ McDonald was once again seen to good effect aboard Vetiver in the British Stallion Studs EBF Eternal Stakes at Carlisle.

The northern-based rider broke his Royal Ascot duck in last weekend’s Hardwicke Stakes aboard Pyledriver, having previously guided the top-class performer to win last year’s King George at the Berkshire circuit.

McDonald was back on more familiar territory in Cumbria and jumped on the Andrew Balding-trained 7-2 chance Vetiver in the £50,000 Listed feature, a filly whom he had already won on twice.

Carrying the colours of Cheveley Park Stud, the chestnut daughter of Twilight Son was fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time and after briefly being stuck behind horses, she powered home to get up and beat Dandy Alys by half a length.

McDonald said: “I’ve won on her a couple of times around Beverley, but this was a different ballgame today.

“As you can see she wears a hood and she’s a free-going filly. I got into a nice enough rhythm on her and I was keen not to play my cards too early on the ground because at the end of the day today was all about getting her into the first three and picking up some black type.

“I’ve ended up getting myself into a little bit of a pocket, but to be fair to her she showed some guts to come out of there and stick her head out and gallop out through the line.”

Two Brothers with his owners Oliver and Gavin Thompson
Two Brothers with his owners Oliver and Gavin Thompson (Ashley Iveson/PA)

There were jubilant scenes in the winner’s enclosure after Two Brothers (6-1) landed one of the feature handicaps on the card, the Stablemate By Agma Cumberland Plate.

Mick and David Easterby’s inmate had been placed three times since his last triumph and was rewarded for his consistency with a neck verdict over Ravenscraig Castle under Billy Garritty.

“That was very good, we couldn’t have asked for any more,” said Oliver Thompson, who owns the winner along with his brother, Gavin.

“We were optimistic. We’ve had the horse since he was a two-year-old and he didn’t run until he was three. We’ve had a couple of ups and downs, but he’s absolutely awesome!

“This is our first horse. We’re actually related to Mick and he’s found us a good one.”

Clear Angel returns to the Carlisle winner's enclosure
Clear Angel returns to the Carlisle winner’s enclosure (Ashley Iveson/PA)

Clear Angel (7-2) lunged late to lift the Jason Watson 25 Years Carlisle Bell Consolation Handicap.

Making his first appearance since winning at Wetherby in late April, Susan Corbett’s charge benefited from a patient ride from Graham Lee, arriving on the scene late to score by a head from Strongbowe.

Corbett said: “This has been a while in the making as he was a very expensive yearling (€120,000). He kept having issues and we actually bought him online for 1,500 guineas.

“We obviously needed to do some work on him, he had a bone chip and various things. He definitely likes a cut in the ground and we’ve been praying for rain for so long. We’ve had him a few races and either the ground was against us and one day he had an allergy to the shampoo we used!

“It’s been a comedy of errors and the lads that own him have waited a while, but now they’re getting their just desserts which is good. He just seems to be getting better and better.”

Due For Luck made a winning debut in the opening race at Carlisle
Due For Luck made a winning debut in the opening race at Carlisle (Ashley Iveson/PA)

The John Quinn-trained Due For Luck (9-1) made a successful start to his career in the Mark Nield Wealth Management Restricted Maiden Stakes, pulling two and a half lengths clear under Jason Hart.

Sean Quinn, assistant to his father, said: “He’s always gone alright at home. We trained the mother (Vanity’s Girl) and she went well at home, but never quite did it on the track.

“I saw him at the yearling sales and he’s a fine beast, as you can see there.

“He’s from a fast family I think he’s quite quick. Jason said he’s still a little bit green, so maybe we’ll just go for a novice with a penalty and teach him.”

Title-chasing Joe Fanning landed the concluding Carlisle Supporting Racing Staff Week Fillies’ Handicap on Charlie Johnston’s 7-1 shot Kitai.



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Mostawaa makes it a Carlisle first for Hollie Doyle – and another landmark

Hollie Doyle reached another notable milestone as she steered Mostawaa to victory in the £30,000 Stablemate By Agma Carlisle Bell.

Fresh from booting home three winners Royal Ascot last week, the record-breaking rider made the long journey north to Cumbria in a bid to secure her first victory at Carlisle – the only British racecourse to currently stage Flat racing where she had not previously enjoyed success.

Doyle fittingly broke her duck in one of the track’s most prestigious races, with the two bells on offer to the winner reputed to be the oldest sporting trophy in the world, having first been presented in 1599 when Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne.

The Heather Main-trained Mostawaa was a 15-2 chance to complete his hat-trick following recent wins at Brighton and York. After racing prominently, the seven-year-old answered his rider’s every call to repel the sustained challenge of Liamarty Dreams by half a length.

Mostawaa and Hollie Doyle after winning the Carlisle Bell
Mostawaa and Hollie Doyle after winning the Carlisle Bell (Ashley Iveson/PA)

“He’s turned a corner in his old age,” said Doyle.

“He won at Brighton and then he went to York, but I did get an easy lead that day and things fell right. Today there was plenty of pace on paper and it’s a stiff track on soft ground, but he stuck at it well and I think now you could probably investigate going up to 10 furlongs.

“Between the three- and the two- (furlong markers) I was thinking I hadn’t got much of a breather into him and we were going a good gallop. They got into a duel and to be fair the pair of them kept going.”

She added: “It’s great to have a winner here because it’s a good atmosphere and it’s a long way to come!

“I used to come up for the lady riders’ meeting so I’ve had a few rides, but no winner until today.”



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