Today's Racing Tips: Theatre Tom to take centre stage at Worcester

Carlisle, 12:38 - Back Fishery Lane @ 2/13.00

1

Fishery Lane (Fr)

• J: Harry Skelton
• T: Dan Skelton
• F: P/7F324U-2

• SBK 15/8
• EXC 2.72

This limited novices' handicap chase has been won by some talented horses in the past and this year's renewal has a really interesting look to it.

With Jonjo & A J O'Neill having their horses in top form currently, one of the obvious starting points is with their chasing debutant We're Red And Blue.

The six-year-old was a free-going sort early in his career but looked more professional when gaining a first handicap success over hurdles at Huntingdon in December. He bombed out in first-time cheekpieces when last seen but presumably was amiss that day and commands plenty of respect tackling the bigger obstacles.

However, he might have to go some to peg back Fishery Lane, who makes a fascinating stable switch from Willie Mullins to Dan Skelton.

Ordinarily, one wouldn't expect too much improvement from a runner joining another yard from Mullins, but Skelton has shown time and again how he can improve horses that join his outfit and I suspect that still stands even with a high-profile switch such as this.

He can put his prior chasing experience to good use and is taken to get the better of the O'Neill contender.

Notable winners from Mark in recent weeks

Gustapof @ 15/2
Ugo Bingo @ 6/1
Gaspacho @ 9/2
Lady Caroline Lamb @ 7/2
Distillate @ 7/2
Midnight Media @ 13/8
Kateira @ 11/10

Carlisle, 15:33 - Back Guard The Moon @ 4/15.00

1

Guard The Moon

• J: Sam Twiston-Davies
• T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
• F: 28PF/1P1P-

• SBK 3/1
• EXC 4

Guard The Moon has a fine record fresh and is a strong fancy to make a winning comeback for the third season in succession.

Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies charge has something of an up-and-down record over fences, winning twice and pulling up twice from outings last season but fresh is clearly the time to catch him.

His stable's good form this autumn also provides hope that he should be cherry-ripe on this reappearance, while it's also worth noting that he missed a big handicap at Ascot on Saturday in preference to taking up this engagement.

With the majority of this field also on the comeback trail, it makes sense to side with one who is unlikely to be lacking for peak fitness, while several of his rivals may well take a bit of time to get fully up to speed.

Chief among the dangers may well be Grande Geste, who is a horse I have a lot of time for but who ended last season on a low note, though a recent breathing operation may see him get back to form.

Mark's Bet of the Day: Worcester, 15:40 - Back Theatre Tom @ 6/42.50

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Theatre Tom (Ire)

• J: Sean Bowen
• T: Olly Murphy
• F: 3757/4F

• SBK 13/8
• EXC 2.02

Huntingdon and Worcester provide the supporting cards to Carlisle on Sunday, and it's the final race at the latter track that provides the best bet of the day.

Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen have plenty of chances on the Worcester card but Theatre Tom looks one of their better prospects on the day.

The seven-year-old is still low mileage for his age and looked set to break his hurdling duck on just his second start at this trip over the same course last time, travelling smoothly into contention before coming to grief two from home.

The half-brother to the useful Theatre Man appears to have improved for moving up to this 2m 4f trip from 2m and it's surely only a matter of time before he notches his first success over timber.

I Love You Sivola appears to have been revitalised for a stable switch to Max Comley from Helen Nelmes and he looks the one who can provide most resistance.

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