Knomorediamonds, who was narrowly beaten in his first handicap race at Carlisle last month, is considered the one to beat in the upcoming race. Despite being raised 4lb by the handicapper, he still shows potential for improvement. On the other hand, Strictly Tango will be competing in handicaps for the first time after a convincing win at Sedgefield. Hourless, with promising performances in previous hurdles, is expected to put up a good fight in this race. Diamond Koda, returning to the track after a break, has shown promise in past races and might handle the handicap well.
The Navigator, although not performing well in his last race at Kelso, has shown good form in previous hurdles and should not be underestimated. The ground at Carlisle was reported to be good, with slight soft patches, and any light showers were not expected to significantly affect the conditions.
Trainers shared their thoughts on their horses’ chances in the upcoming race. Lucinda Russell, trainer of Knomorediamonds, expressed confidence in his form despite carrying top weight. Richard Newland, joint-trainer of Strictly Tango, believes the change in course might work in their favor. John Dixon, trainer of Hourless, mentioned that his horse would have preferred drier conditions. Nick Kent, trainer of Diamond Koda, is optimistic about his horse’s chances based on his past performances. Dianne Sayer, trainer of The Navigator, is hopeful for a better performance this time around.
Overall, the upcoming race at Carlisle promises to be an exciting one, with top contenders vying for the win. Fans and punters alike will be keeping a close eye on the developments leading up to the race day.