Saturday Horse Racing Predictions by Stephen Harris at Carlisle and Haydock

Micky Hammond has his team in blistering form at the moment with four winners in the last fortnight, and his useful northern handicapper is expected to relish the testing underfoot conditions and demanding climb to home up winter, mainly in much better company, and this represents quite a marked drop down in class under the excellent Brian Hughes. A patient ride from off the pace is on the cards, and his sound jumping can see him swoop up the final climb for home.

Tristan Davidson’s handicapper caught the eye under a negative ride at Haydock last time out, (inconvenienced by several flights of hurdles being omitted due to a low sun) behind the well backed President Scottie. He has a consistent profile overall in the mud, winning two from 14 career starts over timber, and the emphasis on stamina here should suit ideally. He ran really well over this course and distance last March when a close up fourth, and the prevailing deep ground should be no issue at all.

A career record of 0 from 18 over fences might not inspire confidence in this frustrating maiden chaser, but he has become very well treated on the pick of his placed form and this Haydock handicap looks an excellent opportunity for his astute connections. Henry Brooke has been booked for the ride on the 8-y-o, and although he has 12-4 to lump on deep ground, he can still come through late and pick these modest Class 4 rivals off.