Carlisle Racecourse is gearing up for its biggest Jump raceday of the season this weekend.
Sunday sees Colin Parker Memorial Chaseday at the Durdar Road track.
A seven-race card is headlined by the £40,000 Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase.
The two-and-a-half mile race, which carries listed status, commemorates the late Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Colin Parker, who was based at Lockerbie.
The race, restricted to first and second season chasers, boasts an impressive roll of honour featuring the likes of future Grade One winners Lostintranslation, Waiting Patiently, Cyrname and Monet’s Garden, plus Grand National hero Many Clouds.
This year’s renewal has attracted eight entries headed by Grey Dawning (Dan Skelton), winner of the Grade One Turners Novices’ Chase at last season’s Cheltenham Festival.
Colonel Harry (Jamie Snowden) and Iroko (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero) have both been placed at Grade One level while Top Of The Bill (Nigel Twiston-Davies) progressed steadily through handicap company last season and represents an in-form stable.
A contender to have already won over Sunday’s course and distance is Trelawne (Kim Bailey), who landed the Gordon Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase on this raceday a year ago.
There would surely be no more popular winner than Traprain Law (Lucinda Russell), who carries the colours of race sponsor Raymond Anderson Green. The six-year-old enjoyed a good season in 2023/24, winning twice and finishing off with a good second in a Premier Handicap on Scottish Grand National Day at Ayr in April.
Completing the entries are Marble Sands (David Killahena & Graeme McPherson), a Listed winner over hurdles and King Of Ryhope (Dan Skelton), who was an encouraging third on his comeback at Chepstow on October 12.
Helen Willis, general manager at Carlisle Racecourse, said: “We are all set for our biggest Jumps raceday of the year on Sunday.
“The entries look strong for the Colin Parker Chase and across all of the seven races, so we look sure to have a great afternoon of competitive action.
“There is also plenty going on off the track, including the return of the popular hound trail demonstration and racegoers can come and meet our Retraining of Racehorses Ambassador, Duke Of Navan, throughout the day.
“We will also have the four-times Irish Grade One winner Kemboy with us as part of a Retraining of Racehorses parade.”
Tickets are available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/carlisle/events-tickets/. Gates open at 10.48am with racing running from 12.48pm to 3.58pm.
Report courtesy of The Jockey Club.
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