Horse Racing Tips: Lad a perfect fit for Carlisle test

Carlisle, 16.10 - Back Taylormade Lad @ 3/14.00

Jim Goldie did this column a favour at Hamilton on Wednesday and he holds a strong hand in this staying handicap with hat-trick seeker Alpine Sierra who bids to follow up a recent Musselburgh success under a penalty.

The eight-year-old is in rude health at present and looked in great heart from the front at the Scottish venue so it might take a mighty performance to prevent a notable trio of May successes in this event.

However, Taylormade Lad renews rivalry with the likely favourite having chased him home at a respectful distance at Hamilton at the start of the month and, given that was his first run for more than 200 days, the margin of defeat could be narrowed or reversed here.

The selection was a game winner at today's venue last August when he narrowly prevailed following a sustained duel with Ravenswell and a switch to a favoured track for a horse who should be sharper for his racecourse reappearance could see him trouble his old adversary.

Chepstow, 17.10 - Back Ajrad each-way @ 11/26.50

Old warrior Ajrad is not one for the faint hearted, but Chepstow is one track the eight-year-old adores and he could be ready to peak once more with conditions to suit.

The selection boasts course figures of 3152112, while he is usually a better betting proposition when he runs with a recent run under his belt.

Rod Millman's gelding has yet to win in 15 starts when rested for five weeks or more, but that strike rate improves markedly to 8-51 when he returns to the track within five weeks, so Lewis Edmunds, in great form at Beverley on Wednesday with a first career hat-trick, should have a good spin on an old Chepstow favourite.

Now read Katie Midwinter's latest horse racing tips here