Red Hot Mares Pursuit and an exciting Novice Steeplechase – tips for Sunday’s event

Scores from every race today. . .

Carlisle: Follow the mares

Colin Parker is the main attraction at Carlisle on Sunday, but the 2m4f mares are also worth watching (2.53), which could be a springboard for some big campaigns this season.

Dan Skelton, who has a 22 per cent strike rate on the track this season, saddles the well-supported Galia De Litowho was eighth in the Grand National when last seen.

She has a 100 per cent first time out record (3-3) but this effort could be a stepping stone to the Coral Gold Cup at the end of the month and would be wrong to discount El Elephantewho beat another Skelton-trained favorite on her chasing debut.

West Balboa was kicked out that day but was more than 12 lengths behind the winner, with Lucinda Russell’s runner now having race form on her side. She is also 4lbs heavier than Galia Des Liteaux and the best may be yet to come.

Jky: Derek Fox Tnr: Lucinda Russell

Carlisle State: Profit

Following Nicky Richards handicappers over the past five years, you would have netted £15.45 on a £1 stake with ten winners from 35 runners. He manages two who qualify, with President Scotty in the pursuit with a limited handicap for beginners (12.48) and Houston Texas in handicap 3m2f (3.23).

Curragh: Weld’s Harbor Wind out to break Loughbrown trend

Aidan O’Brien and Dermot Weld swap wins in the Group 3 Loughbrown Stakes (3.00) since 2018, and the pair will face off again on Sunday.

Weld’s Port wind has the highest rating of the five runners and is hard to beat after a very respectable season. He is yet to finish in the top two in his career and was runner-up to Sevenna’s Knight and Al Nayyir on the last two occasions.

Weld won the race last year with a Falcon Eight, so it may be O’Brien’s turn. The trainer is represented by two three-year-old fillies in Lily Hart and get. The former arguably has stronger credentials after competing in Listed (won), Group 1 (11th of 15) and Group 3 (fifth of seven) races in France.

Jky: Gavin Ryan Tnr: AP O’Brien

Huntingdon: Questions to review

Ben Jones is set for an exciting season as the number one behind Ben Pauling and the pair combine with smart prospect No questions asked at a distance of 2 m with barriers (1.33).

The gelding won the British point for Tom Ellis before moving to Pauling’s yard and winning the bumper at Market Rasen, making a good first impression under the rules.

He was considered good enough to run for Grade 2 company later at Aintree and did not embarrass himself by finishing sixth six lengths to Horace Pearl.

“He’s in good shape and shows a lot at home,” Poling said. “As long as we believe the land is safe upon arrival, we will be ready to run.

“He did a lot of things wrong in the bumper at Aintree, but we think he’s got talent. He’s a great hurdler and I expect him to do well.”

Poling sent one of his former leading hurdlers to this track last season when Telgertename won by a narrow margin, and perhaps his latest project could reach a similar level.

Jky: Ben Jones Tnr: Ben Pauling

Cork: She couldbeanything is looking for a quadruple

She could be anything and Sam Ewing go in search of four-timers in Cork as they enter the Grade 3 Novice Chase with nine contenders (2.42).

The seven-year-old made a fine start to the chase from second position at Galway and then followed up with three wins in a month, including a similar Graded event against the boys at Tipperary.

Her last outing, a five-furlong success over Space Tourist at Clonmel, gave her her highest Racing Post Rating over fences, so there is every chance there is room for improvement and she could give Gordon Elliott his first race win at nine ten years

Jky: Sam Ewing Tnr: Gordon Elliott

Cork stats: More Mullins magic?

Willie Mullins has bowled three of his four runners in Cork this season and will be looking to improve on his 75 per cent strike rate there with two runners. He fields Pagan in the list of obstacles for beginners (2.10) and Arctic fly in pursuit of newcomers of the 3rd grade (2.42).

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