Handstands can make winning return at Carlisle

Handstands can spring into action to take the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle on Sunday.

Ben Pauling's six-year-old was three times a winner last season, taking a string of novices chases culminating in the Grade One Scilly Isles at Sandown.

Out of the novice ranks this term he is getting his season under way at Carlisle, contesting the Listed Colin Parker over the 4000m trip he was so successful over last term.

He faces four rivals on his seasonal debut, and although he seems to be seen to best effect on softer ground he still has form on good from earlier on in his career.

There is a Listed race on the card in the pricedup.bet Houghton Mares' Chase, where Lucy Wadham's Telepathique looks poised to resume a successful career over fences.

The seven-year-old hardly put a foot wrong last season, taking to chasing like a duck to water when winning four of her five starts and finishing second on the only occasion she was beaten.

The highlights of that campaign were a 9-length rout in the Queen Boudicca Series Final at Fakenham and a Listed win in the Lady Protectress at Huntingdon.

She returns at the latter level at Carlisle over a 4000m trip, and as a hugely reliable and ground-versatile mare she should give a good account of herself as usual, having been denied a run at Cheltenham due to a setback.

Knomorediamonds can come to the fore again for Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore in the PricedUp Novices' Hurdle.

The five-year-old got his head in front for the first time at Hexham in early October, strolling home in front by an unchallenged 57 lengths in a race that fell apart somewhat and left him to take a remarkably easy win.

He moves back into novice company having shot up 11lb in the handicap, with Alan Doyle booked again to remove 3lb of his 6lb penalty.

At Huntingdon James Owen's Mermaids Cave can take the Manor Farm Claiming Hurdle under 3lb claimer Alex Chadwick.

The six-year-old ran over fences last time out when well beaten at Worcester, but prior to that was proving to be handy over hurdles.

She drops down to 3200m for this claiming event, but has won over a similar trip in the past and also has good ground form to recommend her here.

On the same card Billy Aprahamian's Bongo Man is the pick in the Banks Family Maiden Hurdle.

The five-year-old returns after a break at the height of summer and a wind operation, and the race looks a nice spot for him to get his head in front at a track he knows well. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

CARLISLE: Race 1 - 14.32 I Am Max, Race 2 - 15.02 Knomorediamonds, Race 3 - 15.32 Telepathique, Race 4 - 16.02 Kapal Layar, Race 5 - 16.37 HANDSTANDS (NAP), Race 6 - 17.12 Inis Oirr, Race 7 - 17.47 Double Digits.

CORK: Race 1 - 14.10 Grey Jude, Race 2 - 14.40 Market Ready, Race 3 - 15.10 Eastmore, Race 4 - 15.40 Noble Name, Race 5 - 16.10 Tackletommywoowoo, Race 6 - 16.45 Mossy Fen Park, Race 7 - 17.20 A Penny A Hundred, Race 8 - 17.55 His Nibs.

CURRAGH: Race 1 - 14.25 Il Corsaro, Race 2 - 14.55 Stag Night, Race 3 - 15.25 Tina's Indian, Race 4 - 15.55 Tofino, Race 5 - 16.30 Chally Chute, Race 6 - 17.05 Lady Lilac, Race 7 - 17.40 Starford, Race 8 - 18.15 Calais.

HUNTINGDON: Race 1 - 14.48 Mermaids Cave, Race 2 - 15.18 Bongo Man, Race 3 - 15.48 Pic Roc, Race 4 - 16.20 Scavengers Reign, Race 5 - 16.55 Tommy Cullen, Race 6 - 17.30 Jack Hoola, Race 7 - 18.05 The Wise Traveller.