Good to Soft Gold at Carlisle
Jaysus, what a card we've got at Carlisle today! Seven races of pure quality on good to soft ground that'll have the Irish trainers licking their lips like kids in a sweet shop. Willie Mullins has sent half of Closutton across the Irish Sea, and with good reason – there's over a million pounds in prize money up for grabs on this Carlisle racecard.
The good to soft going is absolutely perfect for these conditions. It's proper National Hunt ground – not too testing to blunt the speed of the two-milers, but with enough give to reward the stamina-laden types over the longer trips. This surface will suit the Irish raiders down to the ground, and you can bet your bottom euro that Mullins and Elliott have had this meeting circled in red ink for months.
Il Etait Temps: The Star of the Show
The £400,000 Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4pm is the jewel in today's crown, and sweet mother of pearl, what a contest it is! Il Etait Temps comes here rated 172 and looking like the class act of the field. Paul Townend takes the ride on this eight-year-old who's been demolishing fields left, right and centre this season.
Now, I know what you're thinking – 'Tom, he's odds-on favourite, where's the value?' But sometimes, just sometimes, you have to tip your cap to class. This horse has been operating at a different level, and on this good to soft surface, he'll eat up the ground like a man who's been fasting for a week.
The danger comes from Majborough, also trained by Mullins and rated 174 – the highest in the field. Mark Walsh takes the ride, and this six-year-old has course form which could be crucial. But Il Etait Temps has that extra bit of seasoning and big-race experience that could prove decisive.
Novice Hurdle Gold Rush
The opening Grade 1 Turner's Novices' Hurdle at 1:20pm is a proper puzzle with 22 runners, but a few stand out like lighthouses in a storm. Ballyfad comes here rated 149 with Jack Kennedy doing the steering for Gordon Elliott. This five-year-old has been impressive this season and the good to soft ground will suit his staying style perfectly.
But don't sleep on King Rasko Grey (rated 148) for Mullins. Paul Townend knows where the winning post is, and this six-year-old has the class to handle this step up in grade. The 2m 5f trip on this ground will play to his strengths.
No Drama This End deserves a mention too – Harry Cobden partners the Paul Nicholls-trained runner who has both course and distance form. That's gold dust in a race like this, and at 144 rating, he's not without a chance if the pace collapses.
Cross Country Craic
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at 3:20pm is where the real characters come out to play. Stumptown heads the market and rightly so – this nine-year-old has course and distance form and is rated a hefty 162. Keith Donoghue knows this horse inside out, and on ground that'll suit, he's the one they all have to beat.
Favori de Champdou is the danger at 157, with Jack Kennedy aboard for Gordon Elliott. This eleven-year-old veteran has been there and done it over these cross country fences, and his course form reads like a love letter. Don't be surprised if this old warrior has one more big performance in him.
Handicap Highlights and Bumper Brilliance
The BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle at 2:40pm is a proper cavalry charge with 24 runners, but The Yellow Clay looks the pick at the top of the weights. Rated 155, this Gordon Elliott runner has Jack Kennedy in the saddle and the class to handle this competitive heat.
Storm Heart for Mullins is another to note – rated 151 and with the stable's first-choice jockey Danny Mullins aboard. The good to soft ground will be right up his street.
In the Champion Bumper finale, Broadway Ted looks a proper prospect for Gordon Elliott. This five-year-old is rated 131 and has distance form that could prove crucial. Sean Bowen takes the ride, and this looks like a horse with a big future over hurdles.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
Right, here's where I put my money where my mouth is. Il Etait Temps in the Queen Mother Champion Chase is the banker of the day – class will tell, and he's got it in spades. Ballyfad in the opener looks overpriced for Elliott and Kennedy, while Stumptown in the Cross Country Chase has all the right credentials.
For a bit of each-way value, keep an eye on No Drama This End in the novice hurdle – his course and distance form could be the difference in a competitive renewal. The good to soft ground plays to the strengths of the Irish raiders, but don't completely write off the British-trained runners with proven form at the track.
It's going to be a cracking day's racing at Carlisle, and with ground conditions perfect for jumping, we should see some spectacular performances. The Mullins and Elliott battalions look ready for battle, but racing has a funny way of throwing up surprises. Sláinte to that!
