One runner at Carlisle Sunday - although Inspection planned for 8am

Analysis of the next day's racing is right up our street.

An ideal evening is a quiet night in with the form book (© John Francome) and in the week that's elapsed since our last runners at Hexham 10 days ago, our web team racing analyst has been showing clear signs of withdrawal symptoms.
Last race bumper at Carlisle (inner course) due off at 3.20pm so with an outlook reminiscent of the Groucho-Chico racetrack scene in "A Day At The Races", it's not just a form book that covers this race. Pedigree analysis, trainer statistics, jockey bookings and sire references are required reading.

Several horses have shown promise at the very least, and 2 or 3 have good form, in previous bumper or Irish Point-to-Point outings and there are a couple of whispers for unraced types.

Previous bumper winner Knowwhentoholdem won a Newton Abbot bumper in heavy ground in October in ready fashion. Perhaps the form has not been held up by subsequent runners but given the manner of victory, even with a 7lb winner's penalty, he'll be in the first 5 or 6.
Ceolwulf started at just 9-2 on debut when 4th in a Southwell bumper in May but doesn't have as an attractive jumps pedigree as some here.

The obligatory McCain-Hughes entry Chase Outlaw won an Irish Point in May and was duly bought for £27k a few days after. He's a half brother to a smart winner in France and the likely improvement will see him competitive here.

Duke of Deception (Oliver Greenhall) is another who showed promise in Irish Points and was staying on in 5th here in a bumper in October. Looks a chasing type who'll be more suited to middle distances over jumps.

Nicky's Summergrounds solid 2nd in a Kelso bumper in May puts him towards the head of those with form. He was quite green that day so some improvement will be expected from a stable that does well in these types of races.

Oliver Greenhall's second runner The Questioner (Craig Nichol) was 2nd in an Irish Point (sold for £40k soon after). The 3rd horse won a Point next time and the 6th horse ran 2nd subsequently although a couple in the first 3 have not shown much under rules so far. Not out of it by any means.

One of 2 fillies in the field, Melvich Bay was runner up (clear of rest) in sole bumper at Hexham in October and is a half sister to a bumper winner. She will have every chance.

The most eye-catching of the unraced horses is Big Arthur - by Passing Glance out of a Milan mare - not least because his overnight price has contracted considerably from an opening 40-1. Maybe Harriet has been working him upsides her Rehearsal Chase winner Aye Right? (Well done Harriet by the way!!).

Rob & Jimmy's Leading Light gelding Eden Mill spoiled his chance by jinking left at half way in his Musselburgh bumper at the end of October. But he's been working very well in recent weeks and will have benefitted from that experience (he wasn't beaten far in 4th).

This is a wide open event with Knowwhentoholdem, Melvich Bay, Summergrounds and Chase Outlaw holding sound chances.
Still you never know, maybe Eden Mill can be our "Sun Up"......

Good luck to connections and Callum Bewley (well done yesterday, too) in the saddle.

Eden Mill (Joanna)