Carlisle Sunday Preview

The first race of the day from Carlisle is the Novices Hurdle over two and half miles and Faustinovick for trainer Colin Tizzard looks a nice five year old.

The gelding has only raced twice during his career finishing second on his point to point debut which saw him then move to Tizzard's yard where he was a smart second on his bumper debut.

He finished behind a really smart Paul Nicholls trained gelding and if taking to hurdles on his first start over obstacles could turn into a smart youngster.

The Class 3 Handicap Chase sees a fair few runners go to post over 2 and a half miles and Present Value for the in form Evan Williams takes our eye here.

The gelding was thrown in at the deep end on his debut last season with no point to point runs or bumpers but straight into a hurdles contest where he was a bright second.

He got off the mark at the second time of asking and then finished the season at Exeter with a decent third behind some smart types and if coming back from the break just as good will be in the mix.

The feature race of the day comes in the Listed Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase over 2 and a half miles and Lostintranslation looks the one to beat in this classy field.

Colin Tizzard's staying star was ran frequently last season and was muddled about with what distance he is best at and it took until the final race of the season for the trainer to finally see the light.

The seven year old raced six times throughout the season, putting in some stellar performances at 2 mile 3f to 2 mile 6f with a superb second behind Defi Du Seuil at Cheltenham in the JLT Novices Chase and also a good win in the Dipper Novices Chase earlier in the season at the same track.

However, his final contest of the season was at Aintree on his first step up to 3 miles 1 furlong in the Grade One Novices Chase and this was the race that put him in the 2020 Gold Cup frame.

He lead all the way and when normally he was being outpaced he revelled in the extra trip and put the field to shame including RSA Chase winner Topofthegame.

He showed that the step up in trip bought the best out of him and this test looks a perfect race to start his season off with the King George VI and Gold Cup the big targets.

The Class 2 Handicap over 2 and a half miles sees some familiar faces making their seasonal debuts and Aye Right for trainer Harriet Graham looks a nice gelding.

The six year old had a very consistent season last term in his last five races winning two contests and placing in two contests in Class 2 and Class 3 contests.

He picked up from where he left off at Kelso last time out winning nicely in a four runner event and having previous course and distance form at this track makes him interesting.

The final tip of the day comes in the staying Cumberland Handicap Chase over 3 miles 2 furlongs and Bafana Blue for trainer Maurice Barnes looks the form horse.

This eight year old has started this season in superb form winning on his seasonal debut and then backing that up with a second and win on his final outing.

That win came over course and distance just 10 days ago and only five pounds higher today makes him a huge player if performing to the same standard.