SPORT Mister to master Carlisle rivals

MISTER WHITAKER can warm up for a possible crack at the BetVictor Gold Cup by making a successful return to action in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle on Sunday. Trainer Mick Channon feels this twoand-a-half-mile contest slots nicely into place for the progressive six-yearold, should he head to Cheltenham for the valuable handicap chase on November 17. Carlisle would be a suitable port of call for Mister Whitaker, as he opened his account over fences on this card 12 months ago. After that, the Tim Radford-owned gelding went from strength to strength, ending his first campaign over the bigger obstacles with victory in the Close Brothers’ Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Festival. Connections will have great expectations for Mister Whitaker in his second season over fences and he can start off in the right vein. Looksnowtlikebrian can follow up last month’s course victory when he returns to the Cumbrian venue for the Cumberland Handicap Chase. Tim Vaughan’s seven-year-old recorded a one-length verdict over Sky Pirate, for which he has been put up 4lb. He was staying strongly over the extended three miles to suggest this extra two furlongs should be within his compass. Take A Break made a successful switch from Nigel Hawke to Mark Walford’s stable when scoring over fences at Hexham three weeks ago and can repeat the trick over the smaller obstacles. The seven-year-old had run respectably over them in his last two starts for his previous connections and should not be far away in the Watch Racing UK On BT TV Handicap Hurdle.

Ben Pauling sent the very smart Willoughby Court to Huntingdon for his chasing debut last year and the Gloucestershire trainer is employing the same strategy with Le Breuil.