Carlisle - Sun 22 Mar 2026
ROCKING MAN is difficult to oppose in the opener, despite Sam Thomas' charge having to concede weight to the field. Boasting smart bumper form, he won on his hurdling debut at Chepstow before a disappointing effort when upped in trip and grade at Doncaster. Now in these much calmer waters and eased in distance, he can get back on track and score at the expense of Thorneylands and Forever Louie.
TWO BROTHERS is certainly very interesting in here on his handicap hurdle debut. A useful performer on the Flat, the eight-year-old has shaped with promise in a couple of Wetherby outings over timber in novice company and looks well treated off 110. Constantinian is also unexposed over hurdles and commands respect, while it's worth keeping a close eye on C&D winner Rickety Gate too.
Penn Avenue has been running well in defeat and it was a solid third again when she was switched back to handicaps at Wincanton. Another bold showing looks assured but the verdict is for AVALON BEACH, who disappointed at Sedgefield but would have every chance on his previous form at Wetherby and Catterick. Scots Poet is one more to bear in mind.
MARTY MCFLY will no doubt prove popular and so he should as he arrives on the back of three straight victories, including last time out at Catterick over this sort of trip. Easy Sedgefield winner Coup De Coeur is also a track-and-trip scorer and he's another to take seriously, while Spadestep should run his usual honest race and Great Pepper has an each-way squeak.
Hudson De Grugy struck over C&D earlier this month and a 7lb higher mark shouldn't prevent another bold showing. However, this final is predictably more competitive and it could be worth taking a chance on PRESIDENT SCOTTIE. The eight-year-old has slid down the ratings and he shaped better than his latest sixth here suggests. Last-time-out Catterick winner Chasingouttheblues is just one more to consider.
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Carlisle specialist HELLO JUDGE clearly loves it here and a seventh course victory could be on the cards. Ann Hamilton's charge dug deep to score over an inadequate 2m on his latest outing and may be able to defy a career-high mark. The hat-trick seeking Trac ticks plenty of the right boxes in his current heart and isn't taken lightly, while Kelso runner-up Breizh River should appreciate a return to 2m4f.
Having found only a smart prospect too good on his Rules bow at Fontwell, this looks a suitable opportunity for RED ACRES MAX to gain some compensation. The five-year-old drew 19 lengths clear of the third and he's taken to get the better of Just For Dad. Sam Thomas' charge was highly tried on his debut in a Listed bumper at Ascot and he's expected to prove more competitive in these calmer waters. Dundee Law may land the bronze medal.
ROCKING MAN went far too fast when stepped up to 3m in a Grade 2 last time but is expected to get back on track dropped in class and trip. He beat a future Grade 2 winner on debut and he has proven himself versatile ground wise in his interrupted career. Thorneylands was sent off at a short price in a bumper and was only beaten by a rival who followed up so he looks the biggest danger now he has some hurdling experience under his belt. There are a couple of useful Flat performers making their debuts in this discipline in Loving Look and Earnest Belief. They are worth following in the betting.
Multiple Flat winner TWO BROTHERS is fancied to make a winning handicap debut over hurdles. He has shaped with promise on both starts to date in this discipline and the way he finished last time under tender handling suggested this step up in trip would suit. Karma De Cotte is another starting out in handicaps off what looks a lenient mark judged on his maiden form. The ex pointer should appreciate the longer distance and he can fill the places with Camarrate who has proven his stamina recently but continues to drop in the weights.
Multiple Flat winner PENN AVENUE has held her form well since switching to hurdling and is chosen to gain a first victory in the discipline. She looks well treated on her maiden form and the way she finished off at Wincanton last time suggested that this stiffer track would suit. Her biggest dangers may be a pair of veterans who are slipping down the weights. Scots Poet is well treated on his chase form and has been running well since being returned to this discipline last time. He proved he could be ridden differently that day and with little early pace in this contest he could be allowed to dominate. Ruler Legend has been struggling for some time but he's been racing over unsuitable trips and could bounce back finally dropped in distance here.
Raffles Wonder is just 2lb higher than when winning this last year so ought to hold every chance. He returned to form last time in a race which has worked out well and he will appreciate this stiffer venue. He faces plenty of challenges though including Marty McFly who has impressed with his jumping in racking up a hat trick this year. He beat a well handicapped rival last time so a 7lb rise may not be enough to halt his progress. It is COUP DE COEUR who is narrowly preferred though after an impressive win last time. He's also gone up 7lb but he's a previous C&D winner on good ground and should be able to defy top weight here.
HUDSON DE GRUGY can defy top weight. He's been in excellent form at this venue of late and was a decisive winner last time so a 7lb rise looks reasonable. He's not fully exposed at 3m and is taken to defeat the steadily progressive Chasingouttheblues who showed a willing attitude when defeating Paddy O'Mahler last time. There wasn't much between Red Delta and Fierce Warrior when they met earlier in the season and the pair are both respected here. The latter is best forgiven his latest run which was too bad to be true while the former arrives on the back of a solid run in the Eider.
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Most of the field can be given a chance here but marginal preference is for CERENDIPITY whose mark has been steadily decreasing this term. He was unable to get competitive due to a series of errors in a better race than this last time but better is expected on this quicker surface. There wasn't much between Trac and Wolfburg here last time and both are expected to be on the premises once again. The latter may be able to reverse the placings on ground which will suit better if ridden a bit more positively. Of those at bigger prices multiple course winner William Of York makes some appeal. He is now 8lb below his last winning mark and has been hinting at returning to form after a lay off on his last couple of starts.
A hot bumper can go to RED ACRES MAX whose point win took a boost in a strong bumper in Ireland. He was well backed ahead of his debut and travelled strongly coming clear with a useful winner who has followed up since. Coniston Commander was given too much to do on his debut but finished well and that form has had a boost in a Grade 2 since. He's open to improvement following a wind op so can chase the selection home ahead of Just For Dad who was green when midfield on debut behind the future Champion Bumper third.
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