SILVER TO SHINE AT CARLISLE JACOBS’
DESPITE giving 6lbs and upwards away to his rivals, SILVER HALLMARK (2.00) can sink Ahoy Senor and co and land the feature Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle this afternoon.
All the talk this close season has been about Lucinda Russell’s grade one Aintree winner Ahoy Senor being the best novice chase prospect in the north of England but this two-and-a-half miles could be a bare minimum for him.
By contrast the selection looks a natural over this trip, acts with plenty of dig in the ground and has the extra advantage of two chasing starts under his belt.
And he confirmed his earlier promise at Haydock Park in March when he readily saw off the highly-rated Marown over this trip in testing ground.
With further heavy showers forecast at the Cumbrian track, I am also keen to have a significant bet on WHO’S IN THE BOX
(3.10 ) in the staying handicap chase.
The Nick Kent-trained seven-year-old was never out of the first two in five starts last season and this stiff track could be made for him. There simply wasn’t enough dig in the ground when he was pipped by Silva Eclipse at Sedgefield last time out and the more rain that falls here, the better for him.
A slow surface will also suit TOMMY’S OSCAR (2.35) and he can build upon his seasonal debut at Wetherby over this extra half mile.
Lucinda Russell is well represented in the opening two novice hurdles. Her GREEN VAULT (11.50) can get off the mark in the first division, while Operation Overlord could be the biggest danger to RELEASE THE KRAKEN (12.20).
Testing ground will also be the order of the day at Lingfield where BOB MAHLEY (12.45) and NESTOR PARK (1.55) should both relish conditions.
Old Boy GREAT HALL (1.05) may be able to register only his second win over hurdles in the at Huntingdon, while NICKOLSON
(2.50) looks the best-handicapped entry in the feature novices’ chase.
The selection is made for fences and can continue the good start to the season made by handler Olly Murphy by going close at good odds against likely favourite Cadzand.