/ Editor / 06 February 2007 /

2m Novices' Chase. Carlisle, Wednesday, 14.50

The £10,000 feature race (14.50) on the card was won last year by Monet's Garden and though there is nothing in this field to match Nicky Richards' grey, it would be a great shame if the meeting is lost to the weather.

Two progressive young chasers stand out, Echo Point and Arkle Trophy entry Regal Heights.

Echo Point, a stablemate of Monet's Garden but with no fancy Cheltenham Festival entries, was backed as if defeat was not an option on his chasing debut at this track in November. After tanking along in front and jumping exuberantly, it was no surprise when he punctured to finish fourth behind Tidal Fury and two of today's rivals, Akilak and Regal Heights.

A Sedgefield win showed he was going the right way, although he then got no further than the fifth fence in another race won by Tidal Fury at Southwell.

He'll bowl along in front and will probably trade shorter in-play than beforehand.

The reverse should be the case with Regal Heights, who is putting together a consistent and progressive profile over fences despite twice being asked near-impossible tasks in taking on Arkle Trophy second favourite My Way de Solzen.

Such has been Regal Heights' progress, he was actually within hailing distance of the Alan King star at Haydock last time until making a mistake at the third last. He will be a popular choice to pick up the front-running favourite on the final hill as long as his recent effort in gruelling conditions 18 days ago has not bottomed him.

Akilak, part-owned by former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer, has not fulfilled the promise of his first season over hurdles when he won two and finished third to Penzance in the Triumph Hurdle. A short-priced beaten favourite on his last two starts, he is becoming disappointing.

The other four runners will require some major carnage along the way in this novices' chase to come home in front.

Curtain call for Diva

2m 5f Handicap Hurdle. Ludlow, Wednesday, 14.35

This is a cracking little mares-only handicap hurdle (14.35) which boasts several in-form contenders, including four last-time-out winners.

Theatre Diva, owned by a syndicate of Ludlow regulars, is becoming a standing dish at the Shropshire track.

Betfair punters were backing her a long way from home last time and, under a confident ride from Richie Spate, she won without really coming off the bridle, while Simple Glory ran uncommonly well in third at 33-1. The form of Theatre Diva's previous effort in a much tougher race at Ludlow, when she split Trompette and Sunday City, has been boosted and, despite a penalty, she will have a host of supporters.

Has she improved enough, however, to gain revenge over Apollo Lady, who beat her by 10 lengths on similar terms at Worcester in October? Alan King has always thought a lot of this mare, who hails from the family of Grand National regular The Tsarevich, and did not lose faith when she ran disappointingly in the valuable mares' bumper at Aintree.

After her debut defeat of Theatre Diva, she disappointed at Towcester when odds-on only to bounce back and spread-eagle an admittedly weak field at Wincanton.

Saratogane finished three places and seven lengths behind Apollo Lady in a Listed bumper at Sandown last season. Dangerous though it may be to lay a hat-trick seeking mare from the powerful Pipe stable, this half-sister to the stable's admirable stayer Lough Derg is blessed with more stamina than speed and Wednesday's conditions will suit the speed horses.

So Cloudy completes the quartet of recent winners and has been a boon for Betfair place punters, making the first three on her last eight starts. She appeared to show much improved form over 2m 4f for the first time in winning at Musselburgh but it didn't go unnoticed by the handicapper who has put her up 14lb for that success in novice company.

Blaeberry is used to taking on experienced handicappers but the drop back from three miles is surely not in her favour.

Linnet, 12th behind Detroit City in last season's Triumph Hurdle, has since contested races won by Pirate Flagship, Papini and Tarlac. It's hard to see this consistent mare not earning a place on this drop in class but predictable if she finds something to do her for toe at the finish.

Gaspar up in smoke

2m 4f Handicap Chase. Ludlow, Wednesday, 15.10

Bob The Builder won this race last season and runs off just a 1lb higher mark on his return visit to Ludlow (15.10).

His leftward jumping didn't stop him 12 months ago and he went on to run a storming race in the William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival. There has been precious little sign of life in his displays so far this term, but if he seems to be enjoying himself in front, in-play punters may detect some value.

Figaro Du Rocher generally holds his form and has been placed in almost half his 42 starts. Having said that, wins in a hurdle and a chase before Christmas may have put him in the handicapper's grip.

It is hard to get a handle on Irish raider Gaspar's domestic form but potential layers will point to the fact that he was gifted a beginners' chase at Tramore on New Year's Day when the likely winner fell two out and that his two career wins have come on heavy ground

Will the front-running exuberant jumper Free Gift be pegged back in these fast conditions? Normally consistent he threw in a rare below-par effort behind Abragante at Taunton last time.

Sky Warrior finished 17 lengths in front of Free Gift at Taunton in December, he is undoubtedly well-handicapped on his best form and will like the gong. On the negative side, he hasn't looked truly competitive for some time now, but is worthy of place interest.

Le Seychellois appears to have been a rare poor buy by Kauto Star's owner Clive Smith, though connections are continuing to persevere, while Kety Star is just too unpredictable.

If he can build on his reappearance effort at this track, Prince Of Persia has the potential to prove a surprise package at big odds.

Despite an SP of 40-1, he looked like staying into a place in the race won by Art Virginia here in December, but for sprawling on landing at the third-last fence.

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