Racecards
14:25 Carlisle
Ashleybank Investments Handicap Chase (Class C)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Form 0/11PP-P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey F King
led, headed after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
- Form 1F141-1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
chased leader, led after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, rallied to lead close home
- Form U-61331
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Fisher
- Jockey P Buchanan
chased leaders, outpaced from 3 out
Malek (IRE)
17- Form P41P-31
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
held up, headway 10th, challenging when hit 2 out, soon ridden, led flat, headed close home
Harlov (FR)
25- Form 2/215-3P
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer A Parker
- Jockey B P Harding
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
- Form 0/P12P-P
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
Nonrunner
Verdict
Grattan Lodge can take another scalp on the way to bigger prizes with recent Aintree winner, Lazy But Lively looking the likely danger. Howard Johnson's charge has always been held in high regard and the admirable way in which he jumps his fences has won him plenty of friends. There are no worries whatsoever about his ability to handle the surface and he should not be opposed here. Lazy But Lively was a shock winner on Saturday at Aintree when beating runners from out of the handicap. That was a pretty hard race ran in particularly unpleasant conditions so it will be interesting to see how much toll it takes come the back end of the race. Strong Resolve was a winner on Wednesday afternoon. It remains to be seen whether he will turn out twice inside twenty-four hours. Malek is a proven mudlark but this is a tougher assignment than his recent success around here. Be My Manager and Skippers Cleuch have ability but are watched following recent disappointments. Grattan Lodge is on the upgrade and looks the most likely of these to be in the winners enclosure come the end of the race.