WHATACRACKER LOOKS WELL NAMED FOR CARLISLE BACKERS

By Ashley Iveson

Carlisle punters are advised to put their faith in a previous course winner, with Whatacracker of major interest in the Daily Charged Up Offers At Rhino . Bet Handicap.

Mark Walford’s middle-distance runner bolted up here last summer, but returns only 4lb higher in the weights after finishing well held in his next couple of races at York.

His latest effort when fourth at Pontefract was a step in the right direction, though, and it could be that a first step up to a mile and three-quarters helps him return to winning ways.

One or two interesting ones go in the Follow Us On X At BetRhino Maiden Stakes, with preference for the William Haggas-trained Zoffandia.

Already gelded, the son of Zoffany was unraced at two and made his racecourse bow at Nottingham in May, where he was a promising fourth, as the penny started to drop late in the day.

Making that run ever better is the form has a solid look to it, as the winner Battle Queen was previously second to the potentially smart Francophone, runner-up Redhot Whisper was third in a hot handicap at Epsom on Derby day and even the third, Devious Devan, has only found one too good since.

With that experience under his belt, it will be disappointing if Tom Marquand’s mount does not go very close in Cumbria.

It is not too difficult to make a strong case for Feeraas in the Vickers.bet EBF Maiden Stakes at Chepstow.

Connections went to €150,000 to secure the Earthlight colt’s services at the Goffs Orby yearling sales in September and he took his first competitive steps on a racecourse at Lingfield in mid-May.

While trainer Archie Watson is more than capable of getting his juveniles ready to win first time out, this particular youngster looked badly in need of the experience, lugging left for much of the way but still showing enough ability to finish third behind a promising Godolphin runner in Symbol Of Honour.

The form looks sound, with the second-placed Afentiko justifying cramped odds at Windsor next time and the fifth home Dividend impressing at Sandown on Friday.

If Feeraas is a little more streetwise at the second time of asking, he should prove hard to beat.

As usual, there is evening fare by the Thames, with Queen’s Guard looking a solid selection in the Fitzdares Windsor Handicap.

Her racing this year has been done exclusively on the all-weather, but she has winning form on turf from her two-year-old season and Michael Bell’s filly did it easily at Lingfield last time out.

She seemingly has a bit more to offer yet and is well suited by six furlongs.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

CARLISLE: Race 1: 15.00 Uncle Sam, Race 2: 15.30 King Of The Jungle, Race 3: 16.00 Atomise,
Race 4: 16.30 WHATACRACKER (NAP), Race 5: 17.00 Arkenstaar, Race 6: 17.30 Zoffandia,
Race 7: 18.00 Questionable.

CHEPSTOW: Race 1: 15.18 Sky Dancer, Race 2: 15.48 Stockpyle, Race 3: 16.18 Feeraas, Race
4: 16.48 Dolly Gray, Race 5: 17.18 Bama Lama, Race 6: 17.55 Bobacious.

WINDSOR: Race 1: 18.30 Horse Whisperer, Race 2: 19.00 Invincible Crown, Race 3: 19.30
Ribba Hill, Race 4: 20.00 Bishop's Crown, Race 5: 20.30 Queen's Guard, Race 6: 21.00
Metabolt, Race 7: 21.30 Letmebetheboss.

ALL TO COME: Feeraas (Chepstow, Race 3) and Whatacracker (Carlisle, Race 4).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com