Yorkshire prospect will be the Boy to follow at Carlisle

9:51am Saturday 20th March 2010

By Tom O'Ryan

Work Boy, who showed his rivals a clean pair of heels at Market Rasen last Sunday, turns out again at Carlisle tomorrow and can live up to his name by completing a quick double.

Trained at Bingley by Sue Smith, the strapping gelding, described by Sue’s legendary husband and assistant Harvey Smith, as “a good old-fashioned chaser,” created a good impression on his latest start, powering clear in the closing stages to win with something to spare.

Tomorrow he contests the most valuable race on the card, the £15,000 Lloyd Motor Group Novices’ Handicap Chase and will be burdened with a 6lb penalty. He is, though, an improving horse, and, in receipt of some 20lb from Checkerboard, the top weight, Work Boy is fancied to oblige again.

Donald McCain, son of Ginger of Red Rum and Grand National fame, has enjoyed a wonderful week by sending out two winners at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Cheshire trainer can follow-up with Cool Mission in the White Hill Farm Novices’ Hurdle.

Lightly-raced Cool Mission looked a horse to keep on the right side of on his latest outing at Doncaster, where he beat Lark’s Lad in determined fashion.

A 6lb penalty tomorrow makes life harder, but he looks up to this task and can win again.

McCain and his excellent stable-jockey Jason Maguire can also capture the £10,000 News & Star Novices’ Chase with Ernst Bloefeld.

Winner of one of his four races over fences – at Uttoxeter – Ernst Blofeld shaped well in competitive handicap company at Haydock last time out when finishing a close second to Little Josh. His form is stacking up quite nicely and this three-mile event looks a good opportunity for him to gain his second chasing success. He is awarded the nap vote.

Few Carlisle meetings over jumps come and go without Howard Johnson figuring on the scoresheet and tomorrow promises to be no exception.

The County Durham trainer has a whole host of runners with chances, probably none more so than Logans Run in the Family Fun Day 3rd April Beginners’ Chase.

A three-times winner, Logans Run chased home the high-class Tazbar at Musselburgh in late-November on his only start this season.

There is nothing of Tazbar’s ability in tomorrow’s line-up and, provided Logans Run is fit enough to do himself justice after his lengthy absence, he should make a bold bid under Denis O’Regan.

Malton jockey Dougie Costello gives Carlisle a swerve and, instead, makes the considerably longer journey to Fontwell.

Costello’s trip may not be in vain. He has a couple of fighting chances for trainer Neil Mulholland, a good friend of his, aboard Midnight Chase (2.40), a former course winner, who is overdue a winning turn this season, and Normany Landings (3.45), who has knocking on the door throughout this term.

Racing selections

2.30 Cool Mission, 3.00 Logans Run, 3.35 Ernst Blofeld (NAP), 4.10 Samizdat, 4.45 Work Boy, 5.15 Nuts N Bolts.

2.10 Kauto The Roc, 2.40 Midnight Chase, 3.10 Perfect Reward, 3.45 Normany Landings, 4.20 Near The Water, 4.55 Wiesenfurst, 5.25 Ronald Jack.