Racecards
14:10 Carlisle
Sporting Champions Raceday 21st March Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 3m 1f
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Form 33-4131
- Age 6
- Weight 12-3
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey J Kington
tracked leaders, joined winner 6th, jumped right 2 out, every chance last, ridden and no extra flat
- Form 1-21P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey D F O'Regan
tracked leaders, led after 2nd, pressed 3 out, ridden and under pressure from last, held on well towards finish
- Form 83
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey Harry Haynes
led, jumped left 1st, jumped left 2nd and headed, chased leaders, went 3rd approaching 2 out, one pace
Cloud Buster
99- Form 90
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Paul Murphy
- Jockey K Mercer
held up up towards rear, pushed along approaching 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off
- Form 0/5-54
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Mrs J Walton
- Jockey Mr A J Findlay
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, lost place on stable bend over 8f out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form P/PP-P2F
- Age 9
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Miss S Johnstone
- Jockey B S Hughes
held up in rear, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Oil Burner
102- Form 2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer W Amos
- Jockey Ryan Mania
held up in mid-division, pushed along in 3rd and hit 3 out, weakened after 2 out
- Form P5F/1P-P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer F P Murtagh
- Jockey R McGrath
held up towards rear, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
In depth
Verdict
EDGE OF TOWN looks the one to be with Whats Up Woody and Oil Burner the alternatives. Donald McCain's charge appears entirely progressive and while a welter burden has to be carried on account of a penalty, the 5lb claimer John Kington, has plenty of experience in comparison to some of his fellow conditionals. Whats Up Woody does run in snatches though he was disappointing last time out. He seems to stay extended trips and would be one to watch in the market. Oil Burner suggested a step up in trip might be a beneficial move on rules debut. It's difficult to tell what he could be although the trainer has shown an ability to handle stayers in the past. Bel Hugo has a bit to do to reverse form with our selection but rookie handler, James Ewart is more than capable of improving horses seemingly at will. The remaining quartet have shown little of note on the racecourse and much more will be required in order for them to get competitive. Edge Of Town looks hard to oppose and we seek not to.
Formwatch
Edge of Town (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Tracked leader, not fluent 1st, joined leader from 4th, led approaching 3 out, soon clear, hit last, easily, won at Ayr 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Club Class (10-12) by 10l, 7 ran.
Whats Up Woody (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Peters Star (10-13) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Bel Hugo (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden after 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Edge Of Town (11-2) at Ayr 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Cloud Buster 150-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 4f out, soon well behind, 13th of 16, well behind Dear Sam (11-11) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
I Witness (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Hdwy 9; wknd 15; to, 4th of 9, 47l behind Aikman (12-0) at Alnwick 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Midnight Star 80-1 (10-11) Behind when fell 10th, in a race won by John Forbes (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f clm chs (4) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Oil Burner 25-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon headway, stayed on from last nearest finish, 2nd of 12, 15l behind Washington Irving (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Whiddy Island (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Held up, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Washington Irving (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 12 ran.