Horse Racing Tips: Rhys Williams fancies Ridge to power up the Carlisle hill

• Ran respectably in stronger race on hurdling debut

• Hurdling can sharpen up plenty

• Blue Ridge Hill is overpriced at Carlisle

Carlisle - 13:40 - Back Blue Ridge Hill

It was notable at Chepstow just how fit Sam Thomas' horses were for their first run of the season and it might be that edge that will lead to Vincenzo making a successful hurdling debut this afternoon, but I think he faces a big danger in Blue Ridge Hill.

He started his career in Irish points and showed some promise prior to joining Sam Drinkwater. He made his debut for the trainer in a bumper at Carlisle and ran well in defeat behind Saint Davy while looking a little short of the speed required for such a test.

Blue Ridge Hill finished second in two further bumpers over the same C&D before switching to hurdles at Sandown for his final start of last season. He initially set off in midfield but was very slow at the first and dropped to last.

His jumping was hit and miss in the back straight before he closed on the leaders to be in touch turning into the home straight. The gelding couldn't match the speed of the leading three on the run to two out but he stayed on well in the closing stages to grab third.

It was a performance that suggested he could step up significantly next time out for a longer trip and if his jumping slickened up having gained that experience and he now gets the opportunity to do that today.

There's also nothing in this race that looks to have the quality of the two horses that beat him at Sandown and I think this ground will be ideal for him.

It may be that he will be a little in need of the run on his first start of the season but the gelding looks to have a good chance in a race of this quality and any 7/24.50 or bigger appeals.

Carlisle - 13:40 - Back One Eye On Vegas

At a much bigger price in the same race, I think One Eye On Vegas is worth a small bet on his return from a huge absence.

He made his debut in a bumper at Huntingdon back in March 2021 and that has turned out to be a good race with the other five runners having achieved a peak rating of over hurdles of 120 or higher.

The six-year-old travelled well in behind the leader for much of the race before being outpaced turning into the home straight and plugging on to finish third without being given an overly hard time.

There is the obvious unknown over how much ability One Eye On Vegas retains after having such a long time off the track but I think it's encouraging that they are persevering as that suggests that he must be showing at least some ability at home. Any 16/117.00 or bigger appeals.

Read Daryl Carter's Thursday tips here.