Matt Brocklebank provides the tips from around the tracks on Thursday with the Nap running at Carlisle.
Dan Skelton's SNIPE looks the one to be on in the Phil Gowling Memorial rhino.bet Handicap Chase at Carlisle. The lightly-raced seven-year-old won twice during his first season over fences, including first time out this time last year, and while a bit below par when set a stiff task on his final outing in February, he's likely to come out firing again this season given the yard is seemingly going through the gears. He seems fine on all types of ground and should still have plenty more to offer from his mark of 124, just 6lb higher than when scoring impressively at Aintree (soft) on Boxing Day last year.
ADMIRALTY HOUSE lacks a recent run but a lot of Alan King's jumpers appear to have hit the ground running and he could be worth chancing despite the 21-month layoff. He won a juvenile hurdle at Kempton (almost exactly) two years ago and filled the runner-up spot in his two subsequent appearances. He's been eased a couple of pounds in the ratings following his time away and might be able to take full advantage, especially as the forecast strong pace on here should help a free-going sort like him.
Ruth Carr's FISCAL POLICY looks worth another chance off his revised mark of 71, having got no sort of run over this course and distance at Southwell earlier in the month. Raised just 3lb for his half-length victory at Pontefract in September, the chestnut son of Profitable got no run whatsoever in his follow-up bid, ultimately being brought home in his own time after being hampered around a furlong from home. The reopposing Spirit Of Applause was also caught up in the same traffic in that race and finished ahead of Fiscal Policy in third, but the latter is fancied to turn the tables with a clear passage.
Stall nine of 11 may not be absolutely ideal but otherwise PROFITMAN has plenty going for him and is fancied to get the job done on balance. He won twice over this trip back in the spring, including once at this track, and was back to form with a neck second over course and distance late last month. He's gone up 1lb to 55 but was placed off 59 (when sent off 4/5 favourite) at Wolverhampton earlier in the year so it would be surprising if the assessor has him exactly where he wants him.
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AUTUMN RETURN might not be able to live with a couple of these come the end of the season but she's already on the board after a chasing debut win at Perth late last month. The mare jumped perfectly soundly and found plenty for pressure there, winning by a narrow margin which has seen her mark raised by just 3lb to 119. She's still seemingly quite well treated based on the pick of her hurdles form (was sent off odds-on fav in a handicap when rated 120 in January) and can put her fitness and proven well-being to good use at Uttoxeter.
HONNEUR D'AJONC is another recent winner who is still realistically handicapped and he's worth sticking with in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Fakenham. Prominent throughout at Fontwell last month, he saw it out well and, seeing how he clearly gets on well with 5lb claimer Alex Chadwick, might be able to defy a 6lb rise in the ratings, especially if there's a bit of rain around.
WALSINGHAM looks to be building up to something positive and is backed to open his account in the Join Racing TV Now Novice Stakes. This is now a 10-race maiden who has perhaps flattered to deceive on a few occasions but he's not been with current trainer Mick Appleby long and build on his stable debut run here in September when a fast-finishing third in a Pontefract handicap earlier this month. The step up to this one-mile trip clearly benefitted the horse that day and his effort should be upgraded further as he did much the best of those who came from off the pace (first and second dictated throughout). He has smart maiden form from his time with Dermot Weld and should be up to the task in this very winnable affair.
UNCLE SAM looks one to be interested in ahead of his Tapeta debut. The son of Washington DC has taken some time to learn his trade and clearly isn't a star but he showed a bit more promise when fourth back over six furlongs at Thirsk last month and is just the type his yard does well with on the all-weather. A falling mark (now 54) could be capitalised on before long and this event is lacking in progressive rivals.
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