Carlisle preview: Circuitous weighted to strike

Circuitous can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the 6f handicap on today’s seven-race card at Carlisle (14.45).

The Keith Dalgleish trained gelding is a dual course and distance winner who was last successful when landing the 2013 running of the Ayr Bronze Cup.

Circuitous made all and held on gamely to land the competitive 27-runner class 2 contest by a head off a mark of 78.

The seven-year-old also ran well to finish runner-up off the same rating on reappearance last season, but his form then tailed off badly.

However, that resulted in the handicapper cutting Circuitous plenty of slack and the son of Fasliyev is now able to race in this class 5 affair off just 65.

That is 13lb lower than when last victorious and gives Circuitous major claims from a handicapping perspective.

Circuitous also comes into the contest on the back of a much improved effort when finishing fourth at Musselburgh, and if building on that looks weighted to take all the beating in the hands of promising apprentice and Shergar Cup star Sammy Jo Bell who is terrific value for her 3lb claim.

Trainer Mark Johnston continues to bang in the winners, and the Middleham based handler looks to have found an excellent opportunity for Spirit Of Wedza to finally open his account in the 1m handicap (16.20).

The three-year-old is yet to get his head in front in 15 starts, but has posted some solid efforts to make the frame on seven occasions.

They include an excellent at Nottingham eight days ago, where Spirit Of Wedza stuck to the task well to go down by 2 1/2 lengths.

That race looks far stronger than today’s, and with Spirit Of Wedza due to race off a 2lb higher mark in future assignments this looks a glorious opening for the son of Footstepsinthesand to get off the mark.