Racecards
13:55 Carlisle
Merry Christmas From Carlisle Racecourse Novices' Hurdle (Div 2) (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Winner: £2,274
- 2nd: £668
- 3rd: £334
- 4th: £167
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey James Reveley
tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced in 4th, kept on same pace from next, no impression
- Form 52-963
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey S Byrne
led, headed 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace under pressure flat
- Form 313-822
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey J M Maguire
tracked leaders, headway on outside approaching 3 out, soon challenged, led next, ridden between last 2, not fluent last, edged left and kept on flat
- Form 56-55
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer A C Whillans
- Jockey E Whillans
with leader, driven 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair before next, kept on same pace
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Bastiman
- Jockey B P Harding
raced keenly, in touch on outside, outpaced approaching 4th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
- Form 47-6
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer E J Cooper
- Jockey T Siddall
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
DIOCLES' bumper win at Southwell a year ago has worked out quite well and he ran well in the face of a stiff task at Haydock yesterday. A penalty proved too much to overcome on his reappearance at Haydock but the five-year-old should thrive now tackling hurdles and is less exposed than stablemate and recent Uttoxeter runner-up Jackson Cage. Highrate was third over C&D last time and may be best of the rest, though Master Act has shown some promise and Acordingtoscript was second in an Irish point-to-point in October.
Formwatch
Acordingtoscript (IRE) Accordion gelding out of Jane Jones.
Highrate (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Chased leader until after 3rd, went 2nd again next, outpaced when lost 2nd before 3 out, switched left between last 2, rallied to 3rd flat, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Nowurhurlin (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Jackson Cage (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Poole Master (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Master Act (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden after next, kept on flat, no impression, 5th of 13, 13l behind Eurohunter (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Roman Sioux (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Took keen hold towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, some late headway, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 10l behind Eastern Hills (9-0) at Beverley 1m app stks (6) gd in Sep '10 (flat).
Oscar Baby (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 18, 24l behind Call Me A Star (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mares n h flat (6) gs in Nov.
Diocles (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Raced keenly, prominent, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon hard pressed, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Benign Dictator (11-0) at Haydock 2m NH flat (4) gs in Nov.
Rupert Bear 100-1 (10-7) In rear, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 35l behind Malt Master (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov.