Flight fancied for McCain and Hughes at Carlisle

Kilnesare Flight can take the next step in his early hurdling career in the Conference & Events At Carlisle Racecourse Novices' Hurdle on Monday.

Trained by Donald McCain, the six-year-old was second in a bumper on his first run of the season and progressed to hurdles next time out, winning at the first time of asking from a previous scorer in a 3200m novice.

He has acquitted himself well so far, then, and managed heavy ground on his latest outing so should not be inconvenienced by similar conditions when he returns to action under Brian Hughes.

The same jockey and trainer duo have a nice chance in the next race, the Racing TV Handicap Chase, as the JP McManus-owned Grain d'Oudairies lines up.

Twice a winner already this term, the 10-year-old has been edging up the handicap and hit a high of 130 when beaten into second place behind the upwardly mobile Mighty Bandit at Doncaster last time out.

He has been eased a mark for the defeat but was not disgraced at all against a horse with graded collateral form and he should pose an obvious threat here.

In the Come Racing At Carlisle In 2026 Maiden Hurdle the eye is naturally drawn to Willie Mullins' He's On Fire, who makes his debut for the stable on his travels from County Carlow.

Bred in France and previously trained by Yannick Fouin, the five-year-old was narrowly beaten in a conditions race at Auteuil before being purchased for Rich and Susannah Ricci.

He will wear the famous pink and pale green silks at Carlisle in the hands of Patrick Mullins, with the Cheltenham entries against his name suggesting he might just be well regarded at home.

Another visitor from Ireland is the Stuart Crawford-trained Ayiko, who goes in the Book Your Raceday Hospitality Now Handicap Chase.

A 4800m winner and Listed-placed over hurdles, he did not do a lot wrong when second first time over fences at Haydock, beaten by a speedier type at 4000m.

Now back up to an extended 4800m, he should be hard to beat with that experience under his belt.

At Wolverhampton Mick Appleby has claims in the Midnite Are Upping The Betting Game Handicap with Ardaddy, with the four-year-old running for the yard for the first time since switching from Grant Tuer's stable.

He was hitting on a seam of form when he moved postcodes, and with 7lb claimed by Conor Whiteley he looks handily placed to strike dropped down to 1200m by a trainer who specialises in sprinters. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 1 Irish and 2 UK meetings on Monday. Here are the tips.

CARLISLE: Race 1: 15.05 KILNESARE FLIGHT (NAP), Race 2: 15.35 Grain d'Oudairies, Race 3: 16.05 He's On Fire, Race 4: 16.35 Ayiko, Race 5: 17.05 Parish Star, Race 6: 17.35 Vampire Slayer, Race 7: 18.05 Trac, Race 8: 18.35 Maura Jeanne.

FAIRYHOUSE: Race 1: 15.50 Honey Come Quick, Race 2: 16.20 Shanroe Act, Race 3: 16.50 Jigoro, Race 4: 17.20 One Horse Army, Race 5: 17.50 Kentucky Beach, Race 6: 18.20 Beauvallon, Race 7: 18.50 Survivors Sister.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 19.00 Alondra, Race 2: 19.30 Bad Habits, Race 3: 20.00 Lovethiswayagain, Race 4: 20.30 Hierarchy, Race 5: 21.00 Ardaddy, Race 6: 21.30 Magic Runner, Race 7: 22.00 Hackney Diamonds.

ALL TO COME: Kilnesare Flight (Carlisle, Race 1) and Ardaddy (Wolverhampton, Race 5).