13:20 Carlisle

gets his first chance in Class 5 from a mark 6lb below his spring rating. With a comeback run behind him, can he rediscover the finishing strength that caught the eye at Haydock?

By Carl Wright

worth a speculative chance on his first appearance in Class 5 company. His mark has fallen to 104, a reduction of 6lb since the spring, and this looks a more manageable assignment for a four-year-old whose early promise has yet to translate into handicap success.

The performance that keeps me interested is his Haydock victory last December. Having briefly struggled to hold his position before three out, he worked back into contention, challenged approaching the final hurdle and finished strongly to beat Lucy The Wire by 4¼ lengths. He did that despite an untidy jump two out, showing a worthwhile response when asked for his effort.

His recent Worcester fifth was disappointing, and the 24½-length defeat cannot be explained away by a couple of jumping errors. Nevertheless, it was his first outing following a summer break and wind surgery, so improved fitness offers one possible route back towards his best. Jack Tudor retains the ride, while cheekpieces are reapplied after being left off for that comeback.

The return to approximately 2m4f is another interesting change. His finishing effort at Haydock gives some encouragement that a greater stamina test could help, although his previous attempt over a similar distance at Bangor ended in a heavy defeat. I would therefore treat the trip as something he still needs to prove. The headgear also needs to produce a better response than it did during the spring.

Diamond White brings the strongest recent winning form, while Matching Energy’s narrow second here in April makes him a serious opponent. Both have more convincing recent credentials, which is reflected in their shorter prices.

At 13/2, I’m prepared to support Diamond Jim’s revival prospects. The class drop and lower rating provide the substance behind the selection; a sharper performance and cleaner jumping are needed to make those advantages count.

Published selections

Diamond Jim — Carlisle 1:20. Advised price: 13/2. Stake: 1pt WIN. Result: pending.

18+. Betting involves risk. Never bet more than you can afford to lose.