A TEAM OF SEVEN TO RAID CARLISLE.

We send a competitive looking team to Carlisle on Saturday, where the going is currently described as good.

We will be doubly represented in the first at 1.42.pm, in the 0-110 conditional jockeys handicap hurdle, over two miles and one furlong. Bodygroove belied his 25/1 starting price at Wetherby on his penultimate start, when wining by two lengths from a 3lb lower mark than now, but then was a beaten third at Market Rasen when unseating at the last eight days later. That could be put down to the extra distance that day, and maybe the race also came too soon. He will once again be partnered by Josh Thompson.

Our other representative in the race is the six times hurdles winner Ambassador, who has won four of those races at Uttoxeter, and will be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston for the first time. Ambassador was last seen at his best last July at Uttoxeter, when winning by seven and a half lengths from a 2lb higher mark than now. He ran respectability at Sedgefield last time when finishing sixth on his first start in four months, and could be about to run back in to form.

Great Ballinboris has had more than his fare share of set backs, which explains his only 10 career starts at the age of nine. He finally showed ability on the track on his penultimate start at Doncaster in February when finishing a solid third, but on his latest start in March he finished tailed off having bled from the nose. He has since had wind surgery, and should get back on track here. Great Ballinboris runs at 2.17.pm, in the 0-100 novices handicap chase, over very nearly two miles and five furlongs, with Brian Hughes taking the ride.

He's A Diamond left all previous form behind when making a winning debut over hurdles at Market Rasen 24 days ago. This contest is stronger, and he will also carry the 7lb penalty, but he is still open to any amount of improvement. He's A Diamond who was also having his second start after wind surgery that day, will go to post for the novices hurdle, over two miles and three furlongs, at 2.52.pm, with Brian Hughes retaining the ride.

Geryville showed he remains in good heart, when finishing an excellent second at Wetherby last month from the same mark as now. That run was backing up a win over that same course and distance from a 3lb lower mark back in January. Geryville proved that day that he can handle good ground, but his overall record suggests that any rain would help. Geryville runs at 3.27.pm, in the 0-130 handicap chase, over two miles and four furlongs, with Brian Hughes retaining the ride.

Coup De Couer is next up at 4.37.pm, in the 0-120 handicap chase, over two miles, with Brian Hughes who has ridden him on all of his three chase starts this season retaining the ride. Coup De Couer has finished first, second, and third in those three races, having won from a 4lb lower mark on his penultimate start at Newcastle. As a hurdler last season he also showed good consistency winning twice, and there is no reason why he shouldn't once again be in the shake up.

Rioja Alta was a seven lengths winner at Sedgefield on his penultimate start, and backed that up from an 8lb higher mark at Newcastle when finishing second, when last seen five weeks ago. All of his best form is on a softer surface, but that could just be coincidence, as he has only raced on good ground twice previously. Rioja Alta who is currently in the form of his life runs at 5.12.pm, in the 0-100 handicap hurdle, over two miles and three furlongs, with Brian Hughes retaining the ride.

To keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Oakwood Stables, Sharp Hill, and Curlew, click on 'NEWS' at www.mickyhammondracing.

Good luck to the connections, Mrs B M Lofthouse, The Cheltenham Trail, John Burnett, Craig & Laura Buckingham, and R M Howard.

He's A Diamond.