We have declared four runners at Carlisle on Sunday, where the going is soft on the chase course, and soft, heavy in places on the hurdles track.
We are doubly represented at 1.55.pm, in 0-110 handicap hurdle, over two miles and one furlong. Applaus who has won three times at Carlisle, will have his third start of this term, with his regular jockey Emma Smith-Chaston in the saddle. Applaus is yet to fire in two attempts so far this season, but is now back down to just 1lb above his last winning mark, on ground he relishes.
Our other runner in the race is A Cheap Thrill who will be ridden by Josh Thompson for the first time. A Cheap Thrill reverts to hurdles after four attempts over fences for us since arriving from Ireland in the summer. His mark has slipped from 100 to 89 and that is now a good mark judged on the best of his Irish form over hurdles, so if a return to the smaller obsticles does the trick he is on a good mark.
There is tremendous prize money on offer at 3.05.pm, in the £40,000, 0-150 handicap hurdle, over two and a half miles, where we are also doubly represented. Foster'sisland is declared for Wetherby on Saturday, but with that meeting in doubt at the time of writing he could take his chance here instead. Foster'sisland is currently rated higher than he has ever been before, but can go well fresh in a race that is not over competitive for the money. He will be ridden by his regular jockey Emma Smith-Chaston.
Polisud is our other representative, and will be ridden by Josh Thompson, who will take a handy 10lb off his back. Polisud made his stable debut for us back in January when pulling up at Wetherby, but that run can be ignored as he scoped dirty post race. Prior to that he had mixed hurdling and chasing in France, and has won over both. His mark of 114 looks okay on some of his previous French form dating back to 2021.
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Good luck to the connections, Mrs Gemma Hogg, The Rat Pack Racing Club, The Cheltenham Trail, and The Oakwood Nobels.
Polisud.
