Can Court Dreaming enhance his impressive Carlisle course record?

Thursday: 2.45 Carlisle
Varlien Vyner-Brooks Memorial Handicap Chase | 3m½f | 4yo+ | RTV

Court Dreaming has form figures reading 1212 in handicaps at Carlisle, over both hurdles and fences, and he is back at the track for the first time in six months on this chasing return.

He was last seen over hurdles here, finishing second off a mark 2lb higher than this, and his last win came at the track in March after a break. He returns from another short absence at Carlisle.

It looked as if he could do with a break when he was a remote third at Hexham in June and Nicky Richards has his string in superb form. That suggests Court Dreaming will be fit and raring to go after 124 days off, and he is the one to beat on his best form at this course.

The Ferry Master has dropped to a mark 6lb lower than when fourth in last year's Scottish Grand National, but he was beaten 56 lengths in that race last season and needs to bounce back.

However, he went into that race on the back of a better effort when beaten a neck at Newcastle in March and a reproduction of that form would put him in the mix.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Dianne Sayer, trainer of Dallas Des Pictons
It's his first start chasing for us and we're excited. I was happy enough with his debut run for us over hurdles as he'd had a lot going on, coming here and settling in. He's got a great attitude to jump a fence at home and Carlisle is as good a track as there is to give a horse a positive experience over fences.

Sandy Thomson, trainer of The Ferry Master
He's down to a workable mark and is very well. He was a tremendous fourth in the Scottish National as a novice but things just didn't happen for him last season for whatever reason. Hopefully, he can start to get his career back on track.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Stylish Moment
He's stepping up to three miles on his first chase start for us. I was really pleased with him last year and he had some time off due to colic surgery. He's been off for a while and this is his first run back, but he's a horse I really like for the season and we've given him an entry in the Grand Sefton.

Phil Kirby, trainer of Wye Aye
He was in good form last year before his break after he unseated at Kempton. He was really coming to hand. He blew up on his comeback and hopefully he'll have come on for that last run. He's got a good record over fences and he wants good ground.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Court Dreaming
He's had a couple of good runs in this race and he's at the right end of the handicap. He looks well and seems to be working well.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

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