Racecards
14:45 Carlisle
Watch Racing UK On BT TV Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 61y
- Going: Soft (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £6,500 added
- Winner: £4,224
- 2nd: £1,240
- 3rd: £620
- 4th: £310
Absolute Power
274- Form 23-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey Jonathan Moore
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon chased winner, no impression
- Form 62-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Adam Wedge
in touch in 4th, went 3rd from 2 out, kept on same pace
Count Meribel
186- Form 233222-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey M D Grant
tracked leader, led 5th, clear before 2 out, easily
Quietly (IRE)
189- Form 9/23U32-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey B S Hughes
led to 5th, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
Valzan (FR)
164- Form 5P376-2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer R Menzies
- Jockey C O'Farrell
always towards rear, never dangerous, tailed off from 3 out
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Julia Brooke
- Jockey J Kington
always towards rear, tailed off before 3 out
Olivia Joan
137- Form 9/6-0
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer A C Whillans
- Jockey Grant Cockburn
in rear, pushed along before 6th, tailed off, pulled up before last
- Form 2-04
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey Henry Brooke
always towards rear, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before last
In depth
Verdict
COUNT MERIBEL and Quietly are the most exposed but are consistent sorts who should both win races this winter. Preference is for the former here as he was only beaten a neck in a Class 3 handicap at Ffos Las when last seen in action. Absolute Power and Apollo Creed are both tackling hurdles for the first time but should be suited and they will also appreciate today's step up in distance. It will be a surprise if any of the others manage to be involved at the business end.
Formwatch
Absolute Power 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out until over 1f out, 3rd and held inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Perfect Harmony (11-4) at Newbury 2m (6) sft in Jan.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked winner until well over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on and regained 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Tikkanbar (11-4) at Hereford 2m (6) hvy in Feb.
Count Meribel 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, well in touch 6th, not fluent 4 out, 2nd before 3 out, strong challenge 2 out, every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Sir Mangan (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Quietly (IRE) 13-8 (11-2) With leader, led 7th, driven 3 out, strongly challenged next, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind For Instance (11-2) at Wetherby 3m (4) gd in Apr.
Valzan (FR) (11-0) 2nd of 9, 6l behind Brin De Cotte (10-9) at Le Pin Au Haras 2m 1f gd in May.
March To Milan Milan M out of Kay For Karbia.
Olivia Joan 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, weakened over 5f out, soon eased, virtually pulled up, last of 11, dist behind Mighty Thunder (10-11) at Perth 2m (5) gd in Jun.
Once An Angel (IRE) 9-4 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, cl 2nd 3out, wknd in mod 3rd & lft alone bef last where jmped lft, drpd 4th flat, 4th of 7, 17l behind Pure Affection (11-11) at Inchydoney 3m mdn gd in May.