Horsebetting.com experts give their top three Carlisle betting tips for December 2 and a competitive seven-race card in Cumbria this Sunday. Barrys Jack has a good record at the venue, so rates the standout punt in the Northern Lights Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle. Misfits scored in terrific style last time out and is therefore our next best to follow-up in the Northern Lights Staying Chase Series Final Handicap Chase. Top Billing, meanwhile, has become dangerously well-treated, so appeals each-way in the Northern Lights Stayers’ Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle. Find out more about these horses in our in-depth preview with Carlisle betting tips for December 2.Barrys Jack weighted to collect at CarlisleBarrys Jack has a terrific record at Carlisle, so having slipped down the weights looks worth a bet to further enhance it with victory in the Northern Lights Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle there on Sunday (14:00). This Brian Ellison trained eight-year-old has won twice and been placed once in four starts at the Cumbria venue.
In the last of those successes 14 months ago, he completed the hat-trick when landing a seven-runner contest by 2 1/2 lengths from Spectator off a mark of 107. Barr’s Jack got put up to 115 for that game victory and failed to trouble the judged in his next seven starts.
However, there was lots to like about his return to action over course and distance last month following a 203-day break when staying on well from off the pace to be nearest at the finish and a 4 3/4 lengths fourth of 19 to Take a Break.
That was a big step back in the right direction and Barrs Jack is able to race in this off an unchanged mark of 107 – the same as when last successful. It gives him major claims from a handicapping perspective, especially when taking into account the 7lb claim of his young in-form rider Danny McMenamin.
The son of Well Chosen looks to have been primed for this valuable prize by his shrewd handler and also has underfoot conditions to suit. Barrys Jack, therefore, features as the main selection in our Carlisle betting tips for December 2.Misfits fancied to follow-upMisfits scored in terrific style last time out and looks capable of defying a hefty rise in the weights to follow-up and land the spoils in the 3m Northern Lights Staying Chase Series Final Handicap Chase (14:30). This seven-year-old hails from the Scottish yard of Grand National winning trainer Lucinda Russell, who has been firmly back among the winners of late.
The son of Beneficial has won two of his 13 starts over fences, making the frame on four occasions. After shaping as if needing the run on return to action when sixth of 15 to Cockley beck at Hexham, Misfits posted a career-best effort at the same venue when slamming Frank The Slink by 19 lengths.
He raced in touch and, after overcoming a mistake at the seventh, Misfits made good headway to take up the running four from home. Another blunder at the second last failed to stop him and he then drew readily clear to win with any amount in hand under promising 5lb claimer Blair Campbell.
It was a very commanding performance, especially given the mistakes which Misfits made, and the handicapper was also suitably impressed as he has hit the gelding with a 10lb rise in the weights. That makes things a lot tougher for Misfits, but he’s the youngest in the line-up and by far the least exposed.
He is also the type that the yard do well with and may well have plenty more improvement left in the locker. So, taking everything into account, he has lots going for him in this under Campbell again and that’s why Misfits rates our next best bet in these Carlisle betting tips for December 2.Top Billing a tasty each-way playIn the 3m Northern Lights Stayers’ Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (15:00), Top Billing appeals each-way having slipped to a dangerous mark. It’s been a long time between drinks for the Nicky Richards trained nine-year-old, who has not scored since November 2015
That win came in a 10-runner affair at Bangor where he made all and ran on strongly to beat A Vos Gardes by 10 lengths off a rating of 123. Top Billing backed that up with a cracking neck second of 11 to Zeroshadesofgrey at Doncaster off 135.
He has largely struggled since, but did run well the following year when runner-up off 127, and is now able to race off a reduced rating of just 98. That is the lowest mark Top Billing has raced off since October 2014 and gives him major claims at the weights on the pick of his form.
It’s also interesting that he was heavily-backed into favouritism on return to action at Hexham last month following a break. Although a disappointing 14th of 16 that day, the support he received suggest that connections feel he is clearly now weighted to go in again. So, in a wide-open contest, and at the odds on offer, Top Billing looks a value each-way play and thus completes our Carlisle betting tips for December 2.Your Next Bet
