BARON’S A CUT ABOVE
Ellison star is De one
Baron De Midleton (1.35) has the profile to win us a few quid down at Carlisle.
Brian El l ison’s exciting seven-year- old appeals on a couple of levels in a fascinating novices’ handicap chase.
Conditions are going to be boggy in Cumbria, which will suit the seven-year- old who won by 32 lengths in the slop at Sedgefield last season.
His record second time out is also encouraging.
Last year, a pipe opener at Newcastle got him ready to win at Doncaster.
After a couple of months off, the dust was well and truly blown away at Musselburgh before that Sedgefield romp.
Ellison’s charge got a spin around this track a fortnight ago when fifth so he should be primed for today, especially since four of the five rivals are making their seasonal debuts.
Ellison can also claim the novices’ hurdle with TUPELO MISSISSIPPI (1.05) who was very impressive in bumpers.
The Colin Parker Chase is the feature race wi th Cheltenham Festival winner IMPERIAL AURA ( 2 .40) hunting the prize.
It’s a cracking field with the likes of Brewin’upastorm and
Black Op in opposition but Kim Bailey’s charge is on the up and might just be too good.
TEESCOMPONENTS LAD (3.10) is also worth backing. The seven-year- old has won at the track on soft ground and his build up is interesting.
That win was over 2m 4f and trainer Gilian Boanas has sent the gelding out over three miles for the first two attempts this season at Perth and Wetherby.
The seven-year-old has been dropped back down in trip by the Cleveland handler so he can resume winning ways on the soft going under the excellent Sean Quinlan.
E SPOIR DE ROMAY (1.49) is the best bet on a cracking card at Huntingdon
The gelding has a serious chance in the novices’ chase after showing some nice form when scoring in style over timber at Wincanton and Warwick.
Bailey is a brilliant trainer of young chasers and the yard could not be in better shape right now.
They have enjoyed a terrific 30 per cent strike-rate over the last fortnight and the smart six-year- old is a strong fancy.
LOTS OF LUCK (2.22) goes in the next and, given the form of the Bailey stable, you would not back against this one after his smooth win at Ffos Las.
The gelding has been hit with a 9lb hike for that success but it was impressive enough to keep the faith.
Lingfield also go and I’ll be having a few quid on MARTINHAL (3.00) for the David Pipe team.
The hurdler caught the eye at Wetherby on hi s recent r e turn and that should have put him spot
on for today. to follow