'We've had this in mind for a while' - who has pinpointed this Carlisle contest?

Carlisle
Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase | 2m | 4yo+ | RTV

Connections of Tommy's Oscar couldn't have framed a better race for their prolific winner if they had designed the contest themselves.

The 156-rated chaser has an official mark 10lb superior to second-highest Cheddleton, yet receives 7lb from that rival.

In fact, Tommy's Oscar, a winner eight times over hurdles, including the Grade 2 Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial in January, gets weight from all four rivals and should have little difficulty making it two wins from two starts since sent chasing.

He jumped well when beating sole rival Geromino by a head over two miles on good ground at Carlisle last month, and will be much better suited by much deeper underfoot conditions this time.

Owner Ian Hamilton reported Tommy's Oscar to be "badly in need of a run" after that victory, so he should strip much fitter this time.

Cheddleton proved a solid performer in two-mile handicap chases last season, albeit looking in the grip of the handicapper.

He will like the ground too, but clearly faces an uphill task of Everest proportions in giving weight to his high-class opponent.

Red Rookie: showed a lot of potential last season according to trainer Emma LavelleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Red Rookie, last seen in public when falling as an 80-1 shot in the Arkle in March, is the type to make further improvement this term.

He travelled well for a long way at Cheltenham and Emma Lavelle has always held him in high regard.

He is the type who will be ideally suited by two and a half miles in due course, so a stiff two miles in the mud at Carlisle looks an ideal starting point for him.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Alan O'Keeffe, assistant to Jennie Candlish, trainer of Cheddleton
He ran well on his first run there last season and was very consistent his whole campaign. He'll like the soft ground, which is what we've been waiting for, but it will be hard to give weight away to the favourite.

Peter Niven, trainer of Malystic
Tommy's Oscar looks outstanding and we don't know about the ground but other than that Malystic is in good form. He just had a few niggles last year. It means we still don't really know how good he is, so we'll give it a go.

Micky Hammond, trainer of Cornerstone Lad
It's well known he likes plenty of cut in the ground, so conditions should be ideal for him. We've been happy with his training since he's come in from summer grass and this is the race we've had in mind for a while.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Red Rookie
We've been searching for the ground and it looks like we have it at Carlisle. He's in good shape and is a lovely horse. He showed lots of potential last season on ground that wouldn't have suited, including in the Arkle when he was running a stormer before falling at the last. Clearly, it's a competitive race but this is a nice starting point. I like that his rivals have equal experience to him rather than throwing him in the deep end with seasoned two-mile handicappers.
Reporting by Catherine Macrae

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