Bets Of The Day: Blakemount can make it a good day for Smith at Carlisle

Smith youngster an exciting recruit to the chasing ranks

14:10 Carlisle - Back Blottos @ 11.010/1

Those on the northern circuit might remember Sue Smith's Blottos as a progressive novice hurdler from last season, and anyone who saw him would have noted he was the archetypal chaser in the making.

Today we get to find out; he makes his fencing bow in a decent race for Carlisle, and it's one of my favourite punting tracks over the jumps alongside Sedgefield and Hexham.

The previous season's hurdling campaign was a very good one with winning form at Carlisle amongst his successes; that race was a 0-135 over 2m4f. He drops back in trip for Thursday, so I would be surprised if he didn't make the running under jockey Danny Cook.

Cook was very complimentary about him when winning at Sedgefield last term. I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on at a decent price.

Blakemount has a chance to get back on track at a price

15:45 Carlisle - Back Blakemount @ 14.013/1

This 0-135 is a qualifier for the final of the staying series and we are sticking with the Smith/Cook axis for another winner. Blakemount is the horse, and he's a massive price for a chaser with a bit of back-class.

I toyed with the idea of backing Cooking Fat, as undoubtedly he is progressive, but Blakemount gets the nod as the 14.013/1 is just too tempting.

It must be remembered he was operating at a decent level two seasons ago when he finished sixth in the Scottish Grand National and fifth in the Midlands version. He probably didn't quite see out those marathon trips, but there are no problems with the 3m1f here.

He disappointed last term but was only seen twice. A freshen up can do the trick and he's well handicapped from 126, he also goes well at Carlisle.

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