SUNDAY WEEKENDER

14:55 Carlisle

Charmant has won three from four over fences, returning a particularly impressive winner at Ayr last time out. Brian Hughes has a 33% winning strike rate for trainer James Ewart, was in the saddle for each of the aforementioned victories and with the partnership remaining intact he could prove tough to beat providing his stamina holds out over this longer trip.

Piton Pete won a couple of hurdles race at this time last season and finished a decent enough fifth on chase debut, behind Kildisart and Azzerti who have both won twice since. He was in contention when unseating his rider two from home next time out and was only beaten three lengths when third last time out.

Venetia Williams has a decent record with chasers at the course so Elixir Du Gouet could improve on previous runs now stepped up in trip, but Sword Of Fate is yet to really get going since moving to Leonard Kerr. He has won three from five over fences but these victories came on fast ground when racing for Tom Lacey so of the two I feel Elixir Du Gouet looks the bigger danger.

CHARMANT (WIN) – NAP

15:45 Exeter – Diable De Sivola (WIN) *NB*

15:15 Exeter – Trans Express (E/W) *ALTERNATIVE*