It's always a stamina test at Carlisle, and on Sunday things will be no different with the predicted going of heavy, soft in places on the chase course, and soft, heavy in places on the hurdles track.
First up at 2.55.pm is our recent dual winner Foster'sisland, whose winning run began at this track 27 days ago when coming home clear by 21 lengths, from a mark of 89. He was quickly turned out again five days later, and was around two lengths clear at the last when left clear, the horse who inherited the runner up spot, and was beaten an easy 20 lengths, has since won at Hexham. The handicapper has now reacessed Foster'sisland with a mark of 107, which is more or less in line with the best of his bumper form, but he does appear to be improving, Billy Garritty retains the ride.
There are only five runners in the 0-125 handicap chase at 4.30.pm, and we provide two of them, for the very decent prize of £12,200 guaranteed. Grange Ranger finally fulfilled the initial promise of Catterick in February 2020, when getting off the mark at Wetherby a month ago over an extended two miles an five furlongs, for which the handicapper has raised him a stiff looking 7lb, but he is still lightly raced.This drop back to two and a half miles should be OK around Carlisle in this deep ground, Billy Garritty who is able to claim 3lb, will ride him for the first time.
We are also represented by Kayf Adventure who has been rated as high as 139 in the past, and now finds himself able to race from a mark of 122. After arriving from the Philip Hobbs yard, he pulled up at Aintree last December, where it was decided he needed wind surgery. He has since run adequately in two hurdles races, and a jumpers bumper, but fences is what he needs to bring out the best in him, especially now, at the age of 10. His best form has always been at two and a half miles, and heavy ground is no problem, Connor O'Farrell, who rode him at Aintree is back in the saddle.
To keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Oakwood Stables, and Sharp Hill, click on 'NEWS' at www.mickyhammondracing.
Good luck to the connections, The Oakwood Nobels, Cheltenham Trail & Cleeve Racing Club, and Oakwood Rainbow.
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