Racing tips: No Cruise Yet to cruise to a third win in a row over fences

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It was a competitive race that Easkey Lad ran in, but I did fancy him to go close, and to be fair to him he did run well in defeat. The two who finished ahead of him look nice types for some better handicaps in the future, so I'd be inclined to back Easkey Lad again in a smaller field race or in a slightly worse grade.

Carlisle 2:45

Yet again we have another small field race in which I have a runner in, but like the previous ones, this looks a good race. I think NO CRUISE YET could win this but might find this race tough off a lengthy absence.

Running off a 200-day break isn't ideal, but the other two in the race haven't exactly had a prep run for this, with Dee Star having one 54 days ago, which doesn't mean he will be 100% ready for this either. However, Sam England has started this season very well so I think the fitness of No Cruise Yet can be taken on trust, as the yard is operating at a 24% SR this season.

No Cruise Yet ended last season on a good run, winning on his last two runs with him running extremely well in every race of last season, and hitting the top 3 in every race he completed. The recent win at this track in a Class 2 was a very good effort and the winning margin of a neck doesn't justify the level he ran at. The front two pulled 10 lengths clear of the third, and according to RPRs the third ran slightly above form so that rates as good form in my eyes. He stayed on strongly over 3m that day, and I think this extra 2f will be better suited to him with the soft ground probably being in his favour as well as he has won on soft ground.

Due to it being a three-runner race you aren't going to get amazing odds, but I think he is the one to beat and I fancy him to be tough to beat.

Ludlow 4:05

Despite Donald McCain not having the best of records at Ludlow in recent years (2-39) and his usual jockey, Brian Hughes, remaining at Carlisle for today's rides I think MINELLA PLUS could be on a good handicap mark and be too good for this field.

The race he won at Hexham didn't exactly show us much apart from he jumps a fence well and he might be better over this close than he was over hurdles, and he was decent over the smaller obstacles (3/8 wins). He was sent off as 1/2F at Hexham and won in a canter, not really getting out of second gear, winning by 8L. The handicapper has decided to put him up 5lbs for that win, which could be seen as slightly harsh as it was only a three-runner race in which he won, but despite the rise, I still believe he is on a good mark and very capable of winning this and doing it in good style.

Fergal O'Brien's horse, Mortlach will be seen as the main danger for a yard that is in good form, like they normally are at this time of year when the bigger yards haven't really started their seasons yet. Mortlach has been over hurdles the last couple of times but went on a hot streak over the summer over fences seeing his handicap rating go from the low 100s to 130. He is a very capable chaser shown by his wins but I think he might be better over slightly further, and without the normal rider Jack Hogan (7lb claimer) he is worse off than he'd normally be, so a chance is taken on the less exposed Minella Plus.

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