We take three up to Carlisle where the going is sure to be very testing. The very lightly races Great Raffles is first up at 3.10.pm, in division one of the 0-105 handicap hurdle over two miles and one furlong.Before joining us Great Raffles ran three times in France, showing his best form on his third start at Les Sables-d'Olonne when staying on over 13 furlongs, to be beaten 13 lengths on the flat, his previous two runs had both been over hurdles. Great Raffles made his debut for us at Wetherby last November when finishing a 36 length third in a hot novice hurdle, unfortunately he failed to build on that in first time handicap company at Sedgefield in December, but that was only his fifth race in total. He has since been dropped 4lb to 94, and Joe Colliver retains the ride.
We have two representatives in division two at 3.40.pm. Lucou also arrived from France, having finished runner up twice in juvenile hurdles, and earning a BHA mark of 121. He has raced for us on seven occasions, and in three of those races has suggested that there is a win in him. His mark has tumbled to a very attractive 85, and if he does retain some of his best French form, he would be no forlorn hope. Alain Cawley once again takes the ride.
We also run Foster'sisland who will be partnered by his regular rider over jumps, Joe Coliver. Foster'sisland had some decent form in three bumper runs last season, but has been disappointing in his four hurdles races this season. His last run came in a jumpers bumper at Newcastle 20 days ago, where after being keen early, Aiden Macdonald let him stride on, and he showed that the ability is still there, with a very respectable finish in third place. Any of those four bumper runs makes him a very well handicapped horse, from this mark of 89.
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Good luck to the connections, The Golden Cuckoo, A Walsh, J Hill, S Toomes, and The Oakwood Nobels.