Racecards
13:45 Carlisle
Wetheral Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Form 10/2210
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A O'keeffe
made all, clear approaching last, easily
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
prominent, pushed along approaching 4 out, soon weakened
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey P Buchanan
in rear, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no impression
- Form PP232-F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
- Form 2
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey J R Ryan
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
Manoubi
56- Form 4
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey L Cooper
held up towards rear, smooth headway approaching 5th, ridden to go 2nd 3 out, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish
- Form 040-F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
mistakes mid-division, lost place from 5th
- Form P1223P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
held up, pushed along approaching 6th, soon weakened
Batto
13- Form 04
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey A Ross
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, no impression
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey Jim Crowley
held up, ridden 3 out, late headway next, kept on
In depth
Verdict
Karatchi is the selection to get the better of Manoubi, Joes Edge and Fromragstoriches in the opening event on the card. Len Lungo has given Karatchi a break since his debut success at Ayr in November. Bought at the Doncaster Sales, he will eventually go chasing, but in the meantime can follow up here as he has bags of scope. Manoubi had the distinction of beating the high-class Inglis Drever on the Flat at Hamilton in June, so it was disappointing to see him beaten on his timber debut at Haydock in December. He obviously has ability but will need to brush up his jumping if he is to move to a higher level. Venetia Williams continues in fine form so Joes Edge should be noted. He recovered from a tendon injury to open his account at Ascot in January but the heavy ground and tougher opposition found him out on a return to the Berkshire track last time. Fromragstoriches had Skenfrith well behind when second to Provocative on his debut here in November and should benefit from this, his first outing since. In an interesting contest, we take Karatchi to prove too strong for the rest.