Carlisle - Thurs 22nd Oct

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3.45 Carlisle Perhaps the toughest chase of the three to crack but it looks the classiest of the bunch. Zitenka returns from a 320 day absence but looked progressive for Tim Easterby when seen previously, winning 2-5 over fences, including last time out in handicap company off a mark of 122. He was hard ridden to score last time out but is open to further improvement and his stamina is assured over this trip. The Whisperer is lightly raced in handicaps, showing promise in novices chases before pulling up on his handicap debut at Wetherby in January. Nevertheless, he bounced back with an encouraging second over course and distance last time out and a 1 lb rise should not prevent another good run. Description has won over 23f over hurdles at Kelso but remains a maiden over fences after four starts. He was outpaced over shorter at Hexham, latest, so this step up in trip should suit although it remains to be seen whether he can operate off a mark of 115 (unp off 94 and 99 in novice handicaps last term). Shrewd Investor won off 1 lb lower at Haydock over 3m in March but has disappointed since. Looks to have a little to prove for now. Bleu Pois was a winner over this trip in a novices event at Hexham in April. Thereafter was second in a handicap at Sedgefield of 11 lb lower so although todays mark looks a bit higher relative to that run, he has ran well off 3 lb lower at Wetherby when second last seen. That said, there will be no room for similar jumping errors around here today. Nile Moon - won a pair of novice handicaps at Kelso in April, last of which was off 106. Runs off that same mark today but has been similarly handicapped when showing little in recent starts anyway. Kalmo Bay - winner over 3m at Musselburgh in December and only 2 lbs higher now. That said, recent efforts temper enthusiasm and best watched for now. The Whisperer 4/1 Paddypower, 0.55 pt Zitenka 10/3 Betfred, 0.25 pt (saver) Bleu Pois 11/2 Ladbrokes, 0.2 pt (saver)

[fintron]

Re: Carlisle - Thurs 22nd Oct 4.50 Carlisle Lethem Present winner over this trip at Hexham in 2008 but 20 lbs higher now and pulled up on both of last two starts, with a long absence to overcome. Finbin - unseated on chase debut three runs ago but much more promise shown last time out when second at Sedgefield off this mark. Looks open to improvement after just two chase runs, having shown promise as a hurdler (2-7). Toy Gun - two of his three wins come over this CD although is 7 lb higher than last of them now and two visits here on last two runs have proven unfruitful so price looks plenty short enough. Simply Smashing won an Irish point to point over 3m two years ago but has failed to win since. On a formline through Polar Gale, is probably closely matched with Finbin judging by Sedgefield form, but needs to sharpen up his jumping judging on some of earlier chase form, even if unexposed over trip. Shulmin 5 lbs higher than last win but seems to save all best form for Sedgefield. This track a different test and bit to prove based on recent form. Ballynure - course winner in 2007 and easy distance winner at Hexham when last seen. Has been raised 10 lbs for a 24-length win but still well handicapped on old form as has won off 86 previously. In form and should give a good account. Treehouse - only 5 lb higher than Hexham win in April and open to plenty of improvement after just 8 career starts. Disappointed at Hexham last time out though and may possibly want quicker ground. Hever Road - well handicapped on old form when a winner off 113 as runs off mere 70 today but hasn't won for several years and vulnerable to younger legs. Silver Dagger - 19 lbs lower than when winning last chase, but that came three years ago and another on the decline. Refused at the 11th lto. Bullies Acre - 17 race maiden that is 5 lbs out of the handicap/ Ballynure 9/4 Bet 365, 0.7 pt Finbin 11/2 VC Bet, 0.2 pt (saver) Simply Smashing 16/1 Bet 365, 0.1 pt (saver)