Oxfordshire trainer Charlie Longsdon has been an excellent source of winners for Richard Johnson in recent years and particularly so over the smaller obstacles this season. Johnson has an outstanding record of 12-23 (52%) on hurdlers for the yard, for a level stakes profit of 13.77 points, so we thought we’d use that statistic for the basis of our multiple bet this week.
The pair team up again for Western Miller in the Apollobet Online Games and Casino Novices’ Hurdle (2.20) and Shear Rock in the Apollobet Best Odds Guaranteed Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (3.25) at Carlisle on Thursday.
Western Miller was a beaten favourite for the second time in a ‘bumper’ at Worcester last month but, although unable to go with the winner, Wholestone, in the closing stages, still pulled 12 lengths clear of the remainder. That form has been franked by the fourth, Crimson Ark, who won a similar novices’ hurdle at Market Rasen last week, so the Wesetrner gelding may be able to get off themark over obstacles at the first time of asking.
Shear Rock is already 3-4 under Richard Johnson this season, but looked better than ever when winning in this grade, off a 6lb lower mark, at Fontwell three weeks ago and can complete a four-timer. All three wins this season have come on fairly sharp, or sharp, tracks, but he stays further, so should have no problem with this stiffer test of stamina.
Selections: Carlisle 2.20 Western Miller, Carlisle 3.25 Shear Rock (win double)
