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Dedicated Hero can prevail at Carlisle

November 2024

An interesting recruit to obstacles is Sandy Thomson's Dedicated Hero, who should be followed at Carlisle on Tuesday as he looks to replicate his electric bumper performances on his jumping bow.

The five-year-old lines up in division two of the My Pension Expert: Your Trusted Advisers Maiden Hurdle and big things are expected of this son of Shirocco.

Following a solid sighter at this venue, Dedicated Hero was well-backed to oblige at Kelso and overcame trouble in running to record a comfortable success.

He returned to the borders track to take the final of that series in fine style, with a couple of decent previous and subsequent winners in behind in Battle Born Lad and Kingston James.

Irish raider Kevin's Pride has been bought by the powerful team of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede since scoring by almost 10 lengths at Kilbeggan in August, so he warrants plenty of respect, but his presence should at least ensure Dedicated Hero is a fair price.

John McConnell also sends Wexford winner Ira Hayes over from the Emerald Isle for division one but he is again taken on with Monty Bodkin, who impressed in bumpers for Ben Pauling last term.

After chasing home Celtic Dino at Ascot, he did suffer a blip at Aintree but then showed his true worth by justifying favouritism at Doncaster in February, beating several past and subsequent scorers.

The Walk In The Park gelding has since been switched to Jonjo and AJ O'Neill by the Megsons, and that yard has been in red-hot form with their novice hurdlers.

There is also jumping action at Fakenham, where Firefly Lane can follow up a gutsy Newton Abbot win in the Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase, with Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Freddie Gingell on board.

There could be a smart prospect on show on the all-weather at Lingfield, where Second Name bids to follow up his cosy Wolverhampton debut success in the Know Your Limits With BetUK Novice Stakes.

Trained by Roger Varian, the son of Exceed And Excel cost 270,000 guineas as a yearling and is a half-brother to the handler's one-time Mill Reef-winning sprinter Sakheer.

Like Sakheer, Second Name is owned by KHK Racing and looked in a different league to the opposition when thriving over the 1200m at Dunstall Park last month.

Southwell's Stay In Control With BetUK Novice Stakes could feature some useful horses yet to reach their peak and it seems wise to side with the Arc-winning combination of Ralph Beckett, Rossa Ryan and owners Juddmonte with At No Time.

The trainer and jockey have barely put a foot wrong this autumn and At No Time has hinted at possessing plenty of ability when finishing second in both outings so far.

The horse who beat At No Time on debut, Military Academy, has since won at Listed level and this daughter of Galileo is out of a Group Two-winning half-sister to Oaks heroine Love, so she has the pedigree to make her mark given time and experience.

Ryan is also in the saddle aboard Marco Botti's Sommelier in the Take Time To Think With BetUK Handicap.

The three-year-old has been off the track since finishing down the field in the Palace of Holyrood House Stakes at Royal Ascot, but thrived on the all-weather last winter and on his penultimate start finished second to Big Evs in Listed company at York.

He may be burdened by top-weight here, but he is a young horse who could still be on the rise. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Tuesday. Here are the tips.

LINGFIELD: Race 1: 13.10 Shaad, Race 2: 13.40 Sweet Couture, Race 3: 14.10 Dubai Immo, Race 4: 14.40 Devasboy, Race 5: 15.10 Con Te Partiro, Race 6: 15.40 Charmaine, Race 7: 16.15 Bluebells Boy, Race 8: 16.50 SECOND NAME (NAP), Race 9: 17.25 Buy The Dip.

CARLISLE: Race 1: 14.00 Gypsey's Secret, Race 2: 14.30 Lady In The Park, Race 3: 15.03 Monty Bodkin, Race 4: 15.33 Dedicated Hero, Race 5: 16.05 Flic Ou Voyou, Race 6: 16.40 Bridge Court, Race 7: 17.15 Geordies Dream, Race 8: 17.49 Coniston George.

FAKENHAM: Race 1: 14.55 River Gold, Race 2: 15.25 Laser Focus, Race 3: 15.55 Micronormous, Race 4: 16.30 Madame Luna, Race 5: 17.05 Secret Des Dieux, Race 6: 17.40 Firefly Lane.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 18.30 Sheriff's Call, Race 2: 19.00 At No Time, Race 3: 19.30 Molinari, Race 4: 20.00 Sommelier, Race 5: 20.30 My Awele, Race 6: 21.00 Zip It Up, Race 7: 21.30 Beyond Words, Race 8: 22.00 Bass Player, Race 9: 22.30 Alexander James.

ALL TO COME: Dedicated Hero (Carlisle, Race 4) and Second Name (Lingfield, Race 8).

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