Timeform will be looking to haul themselves off the bottom of the Tipster Challenge table with a strong performance at Carlisle! Meanwhile, bettingexpert will hope to leapfrog the team of guest tipsters into 2nd place and put some pressure on leaders SBC News!
This time, our regular panel of tipsters will be taking on Michael Shinners from Sky Bet. Michael will be looking to emulate the success of last week’s guest tipster Alan Alger, who collected a commendable 6.25 points.
Check out the expert tips below and follow all the action from Carlisle on @SBCGAMINGNEWS.
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1.50
SBC News: Berkshire Downs
Been making steady progress recently and finished 2nd at both Carlisle and Kelso.
bettingexpert: Berkshire Downs
Has the experience in the book at a modest level and proven stamina for further will be a big plus in the heavy ground.
Timeform: Dakota Grey
Failed to stay 2¾m at Kelso last time and is well worth another chance to confirm the promise of his previous Wetherby second. Lucy Normile’s Berkshire Downs has finished runner-up under similar conditions on her last 2 starts and looks sure to be in the thick of things again, while winning Irish pointer Breezemount is also respected, particularly if the market speaks for him.
Sky Bet: Breezemount
Little depth in this novice hurdle and Donald McCain’s point winner promises to be more suited to the emphasis on stamina than market rival Dakota Grey. He boasts a strong staying pedigree being from the family of Bounce Back and that has to be a big positive faced with what will surely be very testing conditions.
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2.20
SBC News: Spring Over
Hasn’t had that much action, but a previous winner over hurdles and went close on January 1st at Musselburgh.
bettingexpert: Vinny Gambini
Should be spot on for this after two sharpeners and can defy top weight with his stable in decent form.
Timeform: Vinny Gambini
Remains winless in this sphere, but did shape well from a reduced mark in third at Ayr recently. He may have benefited from a stronger gallop that day in any case and gets the nod stepping back up in trip. Jonny Eager on chase debut and Longueville Flier can give him most to do.
Sky Bet: Jonny Eager
Question marks about form, trip or both surround plenty of these so Jonny Eager is worth taking a chance with on chasing bow. The fact he’s a winning pointer bodes well for his chasing debut and he wouldn’t have to build much on the form he showed over timber to play a big part in this.
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2.55
SBC News: Miss Tiggy
Backed to go one better after a narrow defeat over hurdles at Kelso in early December.
bettingexpert: Knocklayde Sno Cat
Has shaped better than the bare form since returning from a break and could outclass this lot if settling in the early stages.
Timeform: Miss Tiggy
Rates the type to progress from a respectable Kelso hurdles bow early in December, and shades the vote to confirm as much with success here. Mo Chailin, who is of a similar ilk, is feared most under Sam Twiston-Davies ahead of Knocklayde Sno Cat.
Sky Bet: Tara The Tiger
Tim Easterby’s mare hasn’t gone on quite as hoped to date, but her Wetherby form in a bumper and over hurdles makes her interesting in this. This is a more realistic task than the one she faced in a novice there last time and, in the hope that the fitting of headgear has the desired effect, she is preferred to Mo Chailin.
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3.30
SBC News: Morning Royalty
This three time winner at Carlisle could easily have made it four in December and will challenge again.
bettingexpert: Morning Royalty
Really should have won round here in December when Hughes rode with over confidence, and this looks a five star opportunity to win again after a couple of stiff tasks at Haydock.
Timeform: Moscow Me
Has made a fine start over fences and can land a third win of the season back from a break. Stilo Blue Native could go well on his chase bow for John Wade, while Morning Royalty continues in good heart.
Sky Bet: Stilo Blue Native
A handicap made up of largely infrequent winners and Stilo Blue Native is an interesting chasing debutant from the John Wade stable. Exposed to sharp tracks on the whole so far, he has often left the impression that a more galloping track would suit, and this promises to place a more suitable emphasis on stamina than has previously been the case.
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4.05
SBC News: Subtle Grey
Backing another multiple Carlisle winner in Subtle Grey. Should have no problem lasting the distance.
bettingexpert: Subtle Grey
Comes from a stable in better form now than for ages, and he faces two rivals who are not in the same class as Racing Pulse who beat him at Chepstow in January.
Timeform: Subtle Grey
Already has a couple of course successes to his name under similar conditions and Donald McCain’s likeable front runner can improve again and make it 2 wins from his last 3 starts.
Sky Bet: Kilbree Chief
Has shaped well in defeat since returning from a lengthy absence and gave the distinct impression his time would come when second to the improving Un Noble at Ayr last time. The return to 3m+ is a big positive judged on his hurdles form and he should be up to opening his account over fences.
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4.35
SBC News: Captain Redbeard
Stepped up at Sedgefield and looked well suited in victory. Return Flight can make an impression but has run moderately of late.
bettingexpert: Return Flight
Has been handed a very lenient opening mark and can make a winning handicap debut against more exposed rivals.
Timeform: Veinard
Showed plenty of improvement when runner-up to another progressive sort on handicap bow at Wetherby last month, shaping well to boot, and can open his account with further improvement likely. Captain Redbeard is feared most under a penalty.
Sky Bet: Veinard
Veinard showed more than enough at Wetherby last time to think he would be getting his turn in similar company soon and a 5lb rise shouldn’t be enough to stop him here. He found only the gambled-on Seamus Mor too good at Wetherby on handicap debut and, with nothing of that profile to spoil the party in this, it looks a good opportunity to continue on an upward curve.
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