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15:25 Carlisle
Tim Easterby trained the winner of this race in 2017 & 2018 however Highwaygrey couldn’t sustain his effort when third at Pontefract on Sunday and Carrigillihy was well beaten by the re-opposing Croeso Cymraeg at Ripon last week so both look up against it today.
Detective has raced at Carlisle on ten occasions, winning four and has never finished outside the first two places, however all of those victories have come over eight or nine furlongs. He has won over this trip at Hamilton and proved himself capable of staying an even longer trip when second over fourteen furlongs last time out so looks a shoe-in for a top four finish although off his current mark i feel could prove vulnerable for win purposes.
For the winner we turn to Strawman who was a ready winner at Redcar last time out, beating a decent field where the second, third and fourth have all followed up with victories since. He keeps the partnership with Connor Beasley intact and looks capable of following up off just a 3lbs higher mark.
STRAWMAN (WIN)
16:30 Carlisle
Kodias Sangarius got to within a head of a progressive-looking Archie Watson horse last week and lost a shoe in the process so warrants serious consideration racing here of an unchanged mark, although it is worth noting that she is yet to race over a trip this far and both career victories to date have come on an all-weather surface.
Both Nurseclaire and Gomentra Ginty are prior course and distance winners but both would need to step forward on prior form this season so preference is for Qipeo who travelled well for a long way before getting a firm bump from the eventual winner at Doncaster when tried over ten furlongs last month. She has been eased 3lbs by the handicapper, drops back to a trip that she’s won at before and races for a trainer and jockey who tend to go well at the course.
QIPEO (WIN) written by Dean Kilbryde