There will be a 7:30am inspection at Carlisle on Monday morning, but assistant clerk of the course Harry Phipps does not foresee any issues ahead of the seven-race card that is due to start the week at the Cumbrian track.
Temperatures in the north west of England are expected to dip to 0C on Sunday night, but if the forecast is correct, then that should not stop Monday’s meeting from taking place.
Conditions are expected to be soft-good to soft in places for the card, with the action getting underway at 13:35 and concluding at approximately 16:35.
Here are our tips for the meeting.
Carlisle Racing Tips
14:10 – Escapeandevade @ EVS
Just four runners are expected to go to post for this Class 3 Derwent Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase over two miles and the James Ewart-trained ESCAPEANDEVADE (EVS) appears to be the one to beat.
After placing at Wetherby on his seasonal reappearance in November, Escapeandevade then made all to triumph by 15 lengths in a similar race to this at Ayr on his most recent outing at the turn of the year.
A 7lb rise from that success is unlikely to deter the seven-year-old too much and he should still prove too strong for his rivals, although Donald McCain’s Word Has It (5/1) could pose some threat as he tries chasing for the second time following some strong recent efforts over hurdles.
15:15 – Maid O’Malley @ 9/4
Another race that will see four runners compete is the Class 3 Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Mares’ Handicap Chase that will be contested over 2m5f.
It could be a case of quality not quantity for this race, with the Richard Newland-trained La Renommee (15/8) expected to go well as she steps up in class, while Haute Estime (4/1) from Lucinda Russell’s yard has followed up a placing at Kelso this season with higher-level runs at both Cheltenham and Ayr.
However, preference is for Stuart Coltherd’s mare MAID O’MALLEY (9/4), who could prove to be the class act in the field after dropping back in grade following efforts at Listed level on her last two runs, including at Carlisle in November.
15:45 – Clear White Light @ 13/2
CLEAR WHITE LIGHT (13/2) was a winner at Doncaster last month and could prove the one to beat in this Class 4 Caldew Handicap Hurdle over a slightly shorter 2m1f distance.
Adrian Keatley’s talented seven-year-old has been handed a 7lb rise following that success, but much of that should be negated by jockey Jack Hogan’s 5lb claim.
It may not be a straightforward run for Clear White Light, as there is a talented list of contenders to win the race, including in the shape of the Donald McCain-trained Malpas (10/3), who could benefit from a slightly shorter trip after fading to finish third in a 2m2f Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on his most outing over the festive period.
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