Carlisle and Newton Abbot previews: Crazy about the chances of Tornado

The Mick Easterby trained eight-year-old was last successful in class 4 contest at Beverley 13 months ago when making all and staying on strongly to score by 1 1/2 lengths off a rating of 78.

Strong Man is now able to race off just 1lb higher and comes into the contest on the back of an improved effort when beaten a 2 3/4 length sixth of 16 in a competitive class 3 affair at Redcar.

That was just his third run of the season and the gelding should now be spot on to do himself.

Strong Man needed several runs last season before hitting top gear and, if building on his latest effort, looks weighted to run a huge race now dropped back down into class 4 company.

Carlisle selections

16.45: Slim Chance
17.20: Luna Mare
17.50: Mister Belvedere
18.20: Cosmic Sky
18.50: Strong Man (E/W)
19.20: Crazy Tornado (NAP)
19.50: Ryan The Giant

Keltus can kick Newton Abbot rivals into touch

Keltus has a solid profile over fences and looks a worthy favourite to land the 2m 5f novices’ handicap chase to this evening’s card at Newton Abbot (18.40).

The Paul Nicholls trained gelding has won two of his last four starts over the larger obstacles and also ran really well to finish runner-up on the other two occasions.

Keltus made all to score in good style by five lengths at Hexham on his penultimate outing off an official rating of 134 and then lost little in defeat last time out at this venue, when chinned close home and beaten a head by War Singer.

The form of those races reads well in the contest of this contest and there is little doubt the six-year-old is well-treated off his current mark of 134.

Keltus also has far more experience over fences than his rivals and hails from a yard that has a strike rate of just over 20 per cent at the track and is in good form at present having saddled three winners from its last nine runners.

Little Pop has a big chance of following-up

Little Pop scored in good style last time out and can make light of a penalty to follow-up in the 2m 2f handicap hurdle (19.10).

The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained gelding scored twice last season and took advantage of a drop in the weights to get back to winning ways at Southwell eights days ago when making all to score by five lengths.

Little Pop came clear from two out before staying on strongly after the last and never looked in any danger of being caught.

It was an effort which suggested there could be even better to come, especially if the fitting of the hood for the first time has the desired effect.

A 7lb penalty may not be enough to stop Little Pop going in again if that proves to be the case and other pluses are that he hails from a yard in rude health and has the services in the saddle of the in-form Sam Twiston-Davies.

Newton Abbot selections

17.05: Poisoned Berry
17.40: Houston Dynimo
18.10: That’s Gonna Sting
18.40: Keltus (NAP)
19.10: Little Pop (NB)
19.40: Mount Vesuvius

Related

For more horse racing content, check out our dedicated archive.