Carlisle and Chepstow previews: Pivotman worth a punt, Medburn Cutler ready to collect

The James Given trained gelding hasn’t won since scoring on juvenile debut but hinted that his time was near when finding only the unexposed Run For the Hills to good at Thirsk last month.

After attempting to make all, the three-year-old stuck to the task well once headed to be beaten 1 3/4 lengths.

The front two pulled 3 3/4 lengths clear of the field to give the form a solid look and if building on that effort this looks a nice opportunity for King Of Swing to get back on the scoresheet.

Carlisle tips

16.15: Southern Strife
16.45: Romantic View
17.15: Pivotman (NAP)
17.45: Amood
18.15: Alpine Dream
18.45: King Of Swing (NB)
19.15: Marcus Antonius

Course specialist Medburn Cutler makes plenty of appeal at Chepstow

Medburn Cutler has a terrific record at Chepstow and can further enhance it with victory in the 1m 4f handicap on today’s card at the Welsh venue (17.10).

The Paul Henderson trained six-year-old has a 57 per cent strike rate at the track having won four and been placed once from seven starts.

In the last of those successes three starts back, Medburn Cutler surged clear to slam Fitzwilly by three lengths off a mark of 71.

Although now 6lb higher in the weights, the gelding showed he could be competitive off his current rating of 77 when a fine 1 1/2 length third in a class 4 contest at Epsom five days ago.

That represents very sold form in the context of this lower grade class 5 contest and another plus is that Medburn Cutler now gets the services of title chasing jockey Jim Crowley in the saddle who is 1-1 on him.

Harlequin Striker fancied to score

Harlequin Striker shaped well when runner-up last time out and looks the answer to the 7f handicap (15.40).

The gelding won twice last year when trained by Mick Channon and after joining Dean Ivory for the start of this season got back to winning ways at Windsor back in June when registering a game 1 1/4 length success.

Harlequin Striker backed that up with a fine neck second at Goodwood and comes into the contest having done as well as could be expected when beaten six lengths by September Stars over 1m at Windsor.

The son of Bahamian Bounty meets nothing of the calibre of that progressive rival in this line-up and off an unchanged mark is going to be tough to beat.

Chepstow bets

14.10: Intimate Art
14.40: Dark Hero
15.20: Jazz Cat
15.40: Harlequin Striker (NB)
16.10: Desert Tango
16.40: Sir Pass I Am
17.10: Medburn Cutler

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