Cartmel

3.15 3m1f Class 4 Handicap Chase – Inchcolm 2/1

Had just the one win from 22 runs over obstacles for Micky Hammond, but has come into life for Tristan Davidson and won 5 races starting from October in just 9 attempts, his handicap mark has quickly jumped up 38lbs from 82 to 120, but the way he only wins by just doing enough has saved his mark from escalating even more. His last effort in a decent Hexham race seen him still looking well treated with a solid close 2nd just a neck behind Bafana Blue who ran a fine race NTO behind a very well treated Katgary and the 4th Quest For Life who was 10 lengths back smashed a similar race NTO by 16 lengths giving the form a good feel to it and the impression Inchcolm still has more wins in him if running up to that performance again. Jockey Harry Reed is back in the saddle and has a great relationship with the gelding with his record reading 41U112, he has just the one race to focus on and has a great record at the course with 4 wins from 17 races, a nice 24% strike rate and +18.83 LSP to boot which is similar to the trainers stats who also has one race to focus on and a 33% strike rate at the course with a cool +£22.50 LSP and a very nice +£37.92 LSP when both trainer and jockey joining forces with 13 winners at a 33% strike rate.

York

4.50 1m2f Class 3 Fillies Handicap – Arctic Fox 9/4

Caused a little bit of a upset when beating what looks a strong well bred field at Newmarket earlier in the month, it may not of been a shock to some as she’s well bred for 10 furlongs and it was her first try at the trip which seen the big improvement, she goes up 8lb for the victory but visually the hit still looks lenient, she’ll love the fast ground and even though a small field Quintada, Vivid Diamond and Osmosis will set up a good pace to aim at, plus she races against her own sex which will also be easier.

Salisbury

6.20 6f Class 6 Handicap – Raincall 9/4

Took the eye LTO when dropped in trip to 6f at Lingfield, she had a bad draw to contend with but broke extremely well and had a lot of early speed to get across well which wouldn’t of helped her in her finish but she battled on well to finish a good 4th giving away a lot of weight for her age against some very well bred well thought of fillies, with the winner rated 85 and giving her 10lbs on the day she effectively is close to a mark of 83 on that evidence, but steps into handicap company off 65 which leaves her looking very well in today. Today she’s much better drawn and a significant drop in speed compared to her last race, she tackles faster ground for the first time and her sire Pivotal is pretty effective on all types of ground but on her dams side, she looks like she’ll progress on this faster surface. She’s the least exposed in the field and looks a weak race to get underway and I predict start a nice winning sequence.

Russell Blair Racing