TimeformBlog

Jeremy Grayson focuses on the action at the northern track today, picking a pair of horses to back.

Another galloping right-hand course some 305 miles further south will provide rather higher quality turf entertainment for the rest of this week, but Carlisle's card this afternoon is far from devoid of competitive (if humble) fare.

A (whisper it) dry run-up to racetime may improve conditions a touch from the overnight soft, but they're unlikely to go so far the other way as to inconvenience Indian Giver, who thus rates a confident selection in the concluding 1m handicap (17:45).

A winner over this trip on officially soft going at Hamilton in May, Hugh McWilliams' filly has continued to shape as if in her best, most consistent seam of form since autumn 2010 in two subsequent outings, despite the good to firm conditions of both manifestly suiting less well. The mark of 58 to which she was raised (from 54) for that score looked fair at the time and has remained unchanged in the interim, and today represents the most realistic chance she has had since then to prove as much.

The question marks over rivals Copperwood (notably poorer strike-rate on turf), Ykikamoocow (frequently peaks with seasonal debut effort) and Master Of Dance (reportedly gelded since last run only nine days ago) only serve to strengthen Indian Giver's case.

Alan Berry continues to scratch around for winners a little, but reasons still abound for siding with his 5f handicap representative Red Roar (15:45).

Galloping right-handed sprint courses with uphill finishes seem to bring out the best in the Chineur mare at this trip, as evidenced by a record of 713121 from six 5f starts at Beverley (including her last win, on soft ground and off just 1lb lower than today) and a close third off 69 from one previous try over today's C&D.

A speedy battle for early supremacy this afternoon looks assured, with Wild Sauce having led soon after the stalls flew open on her last four starts and Boucher Garcon similarly in front by the first furlong on seven of his last 10 outings. That should give the generally more patiently ridden Red Roar something to aim at, and although sometimes prone to racing lazily it's hard to imagine Graham Lee, on board her for the first time, will stand for any such malingering.

Recommended Bets

Back Indian Giver @ 6.2 in the 17:45 at Carlisle
Back Red Roar @ 9.0 in the 15:45 at Carlisle


For more racing betting articles, go to http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/