Two runners at Carlisle today

Despite heavy overnight rainfall, Carlisle has passed a morning inspection and racing goes ahead although with heavy ground, conditions will be very testing.

Nights In Venice takes part in the novices' hurdle over 2m 4f at 2.25. Just the 5 runners but our gelding will be the outsider of the party. He ran an encouraging 2nd in a bumper at Kelso in November but hasn't gone forward from that effort including on hurdling debut last month.

The two at the top of the market look useful types - Monbeg Genius and Silver Flyer - while Rebecca's High Noon, a Catterick scorer last time, looks quite useful too. Jimmy Moffat's hurdling debutant Our Sam completes the line up.

A better chance of a winner for the stable lies with Shoeshine Boy in the staying handicap hurdle at 5.07. He takes a step up in trip having filled the runner up slot in his two previous races over 2m 4f. Interestingly, his half brother West To The Bridge runs in the 2½ mile handicap hurdle the race prior.
In fact there are 3 winning siblings and all have stayed 3 miles and with the sire of Shoeshine Boy being Valirann (a true stayer on the flat), there's every chance today's 3m 1f trip will suit........famous last words, etc.

This is a very open race. Jimmy Moffat's Lady Bowes ran a fine race chasing home our own Stolen Money at Haydock last time (heavy) and looks sure to be fighting out the finish today.
Jonjo's Walk In My Shoes, on pedigree, will be well suited by heavy ground being by Milan out of a Turtle Island mare and could well be one of those lightly raced novices who appreciate the step up in trip to 3 miles. No surprise if he leaves previous Rules form behind.
Rebecca's progressive You Some Boy completed a hat-trick but is now 21lb higher than his initial mark. Can't be ruled out though.

A fine conclusion to the card!

Best of luck to our owners on the day especially Mouse, The Foz and the gang of Mousetrap Racing (Shoeshine Boy).
Craig Nichol rides both of our runners.

Nights In Venice (Georgina, left) and Shoeshine Boy (Connor) - today's runners