Sofa set to strike Carlisle Chase gold

Jonnie sofa is often at his best first time out, so he warrants close scrutiny in the Live Racing TV On Facebook Handicap Chase at Carlisle tomorrow.

Trained by Rose Dobbin, Jonniesofa has suffered injury issues in the past, preventing the 10-year-old from reaching the heights which once looked likely.

He won a Grade Two novice hurdle at Haydock back in 2016, beating Vintage Clouds, and he went on to run in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.

He made a successful chasing debut the following season beating Nuts Well, but was beaten at odds-on next time out and was subsequently off the track for nearly two years.

He returned to win at Ayr following a mammoth 672day break, so the fact he returns here after 298 days on the sidelines does not spark too much concern.

If he retains most of his ability, he could outclass his rivals.

Captain Zebo is a fascinating runner in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by John Dixon, he arrives on a four-race winning streak, but has not been seen for 300 days.

He is up 12lb for a comprehensive victory when he was last sighted, but he could have gone up even more such was the ease of his success and it will be interesting to see what he is capable of in better company.

Sue Smith’s Jayaaah had the misfortune of coming up against some very smart horses in bumpers last season.

T h i rd T i m e Luc k i a n d Ask A Honey Bee, who both turned up at Cheltenham, both had his measure in his final two starts.

He now goes over timber in the Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle and if he can translate some of that form to this new discipline, then he should have no trouble winning over obstacles.

The Hoax should be able to get off the mark in the starsports.bet £20K Owners Club Guarantee Maiden Hurdle at Southwell.

Dan Skelton’s youngster faced what may prove a very stiff task on his hurdling debut against Atholl Street.

The winner has since bolted up again under a penalty, so the fact The Hoax ran him to four lengths suggests he has a bright future himself.

Dr Richard Newland could have another decent prospect in Nordican Bleue, who tackles the starsports.bet £10K Showtime Guarantee Mares’

Handicap Hurdle.

Newl a n d , wh o s ad d l e d Beau Bay to win last Saturday’s Grand Sefton at Aintree, has a knack of finding decent opportunities for his runners.

Nordican Bleue appears to face an easier task than last time out here, and it may enable her to return to winning ways.