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A Carlisle NAP and Next Best from Timeform
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Carlisle Nap - 12:25 - Back Blue Fin
Blue Fin had to setle for second on his chasing debut in a two-and-a-half mile novice handicap on his reappearance here last month but he shaped well behind a promising rival who has since been placed in a strong novice at Cheltenham.
Blue Fin was understandably no match for that rival but there was a lot to like about how soundly he jumped and fluently he travelled, leaving the impression that he has entered handicaps on a fair mark.
He should cope with the drop in trip - he won over this sort of distance over hurdles - and this looks like a good opportunity for Blue Fin to build on his promising reappearance and get off the mark over fences.
Carlisle Next Best - 14:10 - Back Howlingmadmurdock
Howlingmadmurdock did well over hurdles last season, winning a novice at Plumpton and a novice handicap at Sandown before running creditably to finish fifth in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle when raised markedly in class at Aintree.
Howlingmadmurdock failed to make much of an impact on his reappearance in a competitive handicap hurdle at Haydock last month but he probably found the tight track and drying ground counting against him.
Forecast rain and a stiffer track mean that conditions are likely to be more suitable for Howlingdmadmurdock here, while he's also entitled to be sharper for his reappearance, so he can raise his game.