MONDAY RACING TIPS

13:00 Carlisle

A three mile handicap chase which see’s many a familiar name to most northern punters and the most familiar of the lot is the very likeable Skyhill. Alison Hamilton’s 9yo gelding does know how to win albeit he is on a losing run of 13, prior to that he completed a 10-week four-timer. The handicapper has been in charge since then but he has now dropped a stone since that last win. The champion elect Brian Hughes is booked and he should stand a good chance of reversing the form with To The Limit with a 4lb turnaround in his favour. The Coltherd’s To The Limit was always going to be seen to better effect over fences. Athough had no doubt been a disappointment to connections prior to winning at Kelso and things may have clicked with him now but it could just be a flash in the pan.

Amongst the others Tokaramore won two in a row over shorter before a poor run at this trip in December would leave a stamina doubt about her, the Lucinda Russell and Nick Alexander runners need to improve on recent starts.

SKYHILL (WIN)

16:40 Fontwell

In a trappy “hands and heels” handicap hurdle for conditionals and amateurs, it can pay to side with a jockey booking as much as a horse’s form. So, going by that principle it is interesting to see Joe Anderson who is having his best season numerically having a first ride for Fontwell local Chris Gordon, it is also Joe’s only ride of the day. The horse himself Coronado Joe won well in a bumper at the track a year ago, today he makes his handicap debut off a potentially lenient mark of 90 after three educational spins over flights.

Other runners of note include the last time out winner After The Fox and Bolsover Bill. The former won well at Chepstow but a 7lb rise for that is perhaps on the harsh side. Bolsover Bill was second last time out but there would be some doubts around his finishing effort after travelling well and not really going through with the effort.

CORONADO JOE (E/W) written by Michael Taylor