Galia offering too good to turn down

Galia Des Liteaux has a great record when fresh and stands out on official ratings in the Houghton Mares' Chase at Carlisle for the in-form Dan Skelton team.

The mare was last seen finishing a creditable eighth in the Grand National and will no doubt be aimed at some lofty targets again this term.

However, it must be noted she has struck on her seasonal debut for the past three years, including a smooth success on good to soft ground at Market Rasen 12 months ago at this Listed-class level.

Bill Joyce looked to have huge potential in bumpers last term and is taken to transfer that to the jumping game in the Antonia Reid Memorial Novices' Hurdle.

He was well backed when scoring first time out under rules at Warwick and then made short work of previous winner Joyau Allen at Exeter after again attracting strong support.

Sent off at just 7-1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, that red-hot contest proved a case of too much, too soon, but he was not knocked about once beaten, so hopefully there was no harm done.

Bill Joyce was a point-to-point winner in Ireland before being bought for £225,000 and sent to the O'Neills and is viewed as a future chaser, but connections can have some fun over hurdles first.

With concerns about the going clouding the issue in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase, Colonel Harry gets a tentative vote to come out on top.

Jamie Snowden's charge had his limitations exposed when a distant sixth behind Grey Dawning at the Cheltenham Festival and when fourth to Il Etait Temps at Aintree.

However, he was fit enough to prevail first time out last season at Chepstow and has a Grade Two Wetherby win over the useful Trelawne to his credit.

Big things are expected of No Questions Asked this season and he can make a successful start over obstacles in the Follow Us On X @betrhino Maiden Hurdle at Huntingdon.

He was given a long break after landing a low-key point-to-point contest but showed he can go well fresh when comfortably claiming a Market Rasen bumper on his debut under rules.

Ben Pauling's charge ran well for a long way before finishing sixth of 18 in Grade Two company at Aintree in that sphere and has reportedly been showing plenty of speed on the schooling grounds.

Lady Jago sets a strong standard in the Discover What's Trending At Rhino.Bet Casino mares' Novices' Hurdle and looks capable of defying a penalty picked up for last month's smooth Warwick success.

Skelton's mare could manage only second place on her next outing at Market Rasen but conqueror Prince Imperial was impressive that day and it will be unlucky if there is anything of that calibre in opposition here.

Orchestra has been a beaten favourite four times over timber but can recoup some of those losses in the Mayor Of Huntingdon Community Race Handicap Hurdle.

He can hardly be blamed for finishing second to the smart Givemefive and a decent type in Swift Hawk last term, while a recent blow-out on Kempton's all-weather Flat track went well enough. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

CARLISLE: 14.48 Dare To Shout, 15.18 Bill Joyce, 15.48 Colonel Harry, 16.18 My Bobby Dazzler, 16.53 GALIA DES LITEAUX (NAP), 17.23 Your Own Story, 17.58 Slugger.

CORK: 14.38 Jane Eire, 15.10 Walk Away Harry, 15.40 Meet My Loreley, 16.10 Paggane, 16.42 Thecompanysergeant, 17.15 Caesar Rock, 17.50 Spring Meadow.

CURRAGH: 14.25 Game Point, 14.55 Big Gossey, 15.25 Eddie G, 15.55 Salah Belle, 16.25 Akecheta, 17.00 Harbour Wind, 17.35 Hamish, 18.10 Jetara.

HUNTINGDON: 15.03 Finn Lough, 15.33 No Questions Asked, 16.03 Allbetsoff, 16.33 Lady Jago, 17.08 Jet Of Dreams, 17.43 Newtonian, 18.14 Orchestra.