15:35 Carlisle: Timeform preview and free Race Pass

Carlisle’s card features the next qualifier in the veterans’ chase series (15:35) with some familiar names among the seven declared for the three-mile contest.

Heading the weights is Lord du Mesnil (154) for Richard Hobson who should appreciate the drop in class after being a regular in some of the top staying contests in recent seasons, contesting the Grand National in 2021 and the last two editions of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. His last win came in the Grand National Trial at Haydock just over two years ago but he showed he retains a smart level of ability when runner-up to the subsequent Coral Gold Cup winner Le Milos, conceding him weight, at Bangor in November. Lord du Mesnil was fancied for the Classic Chase at Warwick last time as a result but he never really threatened. His best runs have come when ridden more forcefully, and he’ll appreciate the forecast heavy going.

David Pipe’s Ramses de Teillee (152) is a very similar type who was fourth to Lord du Mesnil in that Grand National Trial. He has done all his racing in veterans’ company this term, winning at Warwick in November following a breathing operation and then running a fine race in the series final at Sandown in January when going down by two and a quarter lengths to Wishing And Hoping, rallying after being up with the pace the whole way. He shaped as if still in good form under less testing conditions when third to Musical Slave at Exeter last month and will be suited by the more testing conditions here.

Sam’s Adventure (150) is another thorough stayer who enjoyed his biggest day for Brian Ellison when winning the Eider Chase at Newcastle in 2021. He’s dropped a long way in the weights since and has a poor completion record of late, including when pulled up in the latest Eider last month when always in rear. However, he did take advantage of his reduced mark when winning a three-finisher veterans’ handicap for conditional jockeys at Catterick the time before under Patrick Wadge who is back on board here.

At the age of eleven, Uncle Alastair (151) is still seeking a first win over fences for Nicky Richards but he’s evidently a hard horse to train and has run well enough to finish runner-up in four of his seven chases when he has made it to the track. One of those occasions was when second to Morning Spirit over course and distance in November. However, he went backwards from that run on his only appearance since in first-time cheekpieces (replaced with a visor here) when fifth of six finishers at Ayr last month.

Fagan (146+) is the oldest of these at the age of thirteen and looks on the downgrade now, having last won just over two years ago at Newbury. He was always behind when fourth of five in another veterans’ event at Doncaster last month and is now tried in headgear (cheekpieces) for the very first time.

Niceandeasy (148x), from just out of the weights, represents ‘Hot Trainer’ Nick Alexander but is an error-prone jumper who has failed to complete on his last two starts. However, he was probably in the process of running creditably in the four-mile Borders National at Kelso two starts back when falling two out.

Dallas des Pictons (150x) is also a sketchy jumper of fences. He won over hurdles at Cork last summer on his final start for Gordon Elliott and ran his best race since joining Dianne Sayer when caught close home to go down by half a length to Court Dreaming over course and distance in October. He ran poorly back over hurdles last time, however, when without his usual headgear which is back on here.

Timeform analyst’s verdict

Lord du Mesnil disappointed in the Classic Chase at Warwick last time but showed he still has plenty to offer when runner-up at Bangor on his reappearance so is worth another chance back down in class. Ramses de Teillee is another who's used to keeping better company so rates the main threat.

Timeform weight-adjusted ratings

154 Lord du Mesnil

152 Ramses de Teillee

151 Uncle Alastair

150 Sam’s Adventure

150x Dallas des Pictons

148x Niceandeasy

146+ Fagan

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