We have six representatives at Cartmel on Friday where the ground is currently good, and they are watering to maintain.
In five attempts over fences last season Shaws Bridge failed to get competitive and appears to not be a natural chaser. He was returned to hurdles at Hexham 38 days ago and showed some of his old spark with a four lengths fourth, when probably not seeing out the extended two miles and seven furlongs. This return to an easier two miles and six furlongs could see him go close in the first race at 1.55.pm, a 0-100 Amateur Riders handicap hurdle, with Becky Smith on board for the first time.
Amber Run goes to post for the 3.40.pm, in a 0-100 handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs, with Connor O'Farrell in the saddle for the first time. Amber Run was going easily at Sedgefield on his penultimate start, but failed to see out the three miles and three furlongs. On his latest start at Hexham 38 days ago he possibly didn't act on the softer surface, so if conditions are in his favour this time he is worth another go.
Larry Looby left all of his previous form behind at Hexham 13 days ago when winning unchallenged by 17 lengths, for which unsurprisingly the handicapper has hammered him with an 11lb rise. This looks a slightly more competitive race, but he is in the form of his life. The race is a 0-100 handicap chase over the extended three miles and one furlong with Emma Smith-Chaston retaining the ride.
We are doubly represented at 4.47.pm, in the 0-110 handicap hurdle over two miles and one furlong. It is only six days ago that Burnage Boy ran one of his better races on the flat to finish fifth at Redcar over a trip which would have stretched his stamina to the limit. He now returns to hurdles from an all time low mark of 83 which looks attractive on a couple of his Sedgefield runs from last season, but it must be remembered that he is now a 37 raced maiden under both codes, Becky Smith will take the ride.
We also run Demi Sang in the same event with Jack Hogan who won on him back in February retaining the ride. Demi Sang is something of a course specialist having won twice at the track over fences previously, but on his return to the track 23 days ago he was a slightly below par third after having had a short break, so that race will have sharpened him up.
Our final runner of the day is Quoteline Direct at 5.20.pm, in a two miles novice hurdle, with Becky Smith in the saddle. At nine years old Quoteline Direct continues to run well on the flat, but this will be his first start over hurdles in nearly a year, and only his fifth ever start over timber. Quoteline Direct faces some tough opposition, and he will have to settle a lot better than on his previous hurdling exploits if he is to get anything like involved here.
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Good luck to the connections, Newroc & Co, Lady S Toomes, Mrs J Hill & Partners, Mr & Mrs D Lees & D Pollitt, JFW Properties Ltd, and Ian Ender.
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