Sean Quinlan will be aiming to continue his hot streak and repeat last weekend’s double when racing gets underway at Carlisle on Sunday.
The Cumbrian-based jockey has landed nine wins in the last fortnight making him one of the in-form riders in the country.
He will be among those most watched as Carlisle hosts its special ‘Beer Festival Race Day’ with a wide selection of Cumbrian ales on offer to racegoers alongside the parade ring.
Quinlan was the winner of last Sunday’s big race – the Aglionby Veterans’ Handicap Chase – on Takingrisks for Nicky Richards. He’d warmed up in the previous race by taking Philip Kirkby’s 12-1 shot Romeo Brown to the winning post.
He has now hit the 50-winner mark for the season having also enjoyed success at Sedgefield, Haydock and Wetherby recently.
On Sunday, Quinlan has got another four rides and chances to cut the lead to Sam Twiston-Davies, the course’s leading jumps jockey this season.
In the afternoon’s feature race, the Dalston Handicap Chase, he’ll be in the saddle of Granville Island for Jennie Candlish. The aim will be to get the 12-year-old to return to the form of this time last year when a trio of wins included success at Carlisle over similar distance.
Competition may well come from the entry of the winning trainer of this race last year, Venetia Williams. Calipto was the victor that time and the trainer has Du Soleil, who hasn’t run since Carlisle in October, paired with Gavin Sheehan.
Richards has Western Rules, a winner at Kelso last month and runner-up in the Carlisle final of the Northern Lights Stayers Hurdles Series in December. Martin Todhunter’s Sophie Olivia has shown good form at Hexham and the experienced Rayvin Black has seven wins in 41 outings for Oliver Sherwood.
Quinlan is on board Kenny Johnson’s Cairnshill in the Little Orton Handicap Hurdle where there are several contenders with good recent form.
Williams’ Longhousesignora took a handicap hurdle at Ludlow at the start of the year; Tom Symonds’ Royal Claret won a mares’ handicap hurdle at Plumpton in December and J’ai Froid for Ben Case was a 10-1 winner at Exeter earlier in the month.
Some Can Dance won over similar distance on this course in February when he challenged at the last and stayed on. Once again, it will be a 13-strong field.
Lucinda Russell’s Sammy B was a triple winner two years ago and both Letemgo and Pistol have won on this track in the past.
The afternoon starts with a novices’ hurdle where Captain Zebo could make it three from three since being switched to John Dixon’s yard at Thursby in Cumbria. Last time out was victory by three lengths over 2m 3f at Carlisle’s final meet of 2018.
Russell’s Ain’t My Fault was a runner up here in December and Ben Pauling’s Batty’s Dilemma won on debut at Ballyvodock two years ago.
The RacingTV Novices’ Chase includes Charmant, who has won three out of four this season for James Ewart, including over a competitive Ayr field last time out in March.
In the Cotehill Handicap Chase, Solid Strike was a winner last time out at Hexham for Paul Collins and will again have Brian Hughes in the saddle. Christian Williams’ Conas Taoi stayed on gamely to win at Carlisle last month over similar distance.
Molly Dingwall, Carlisle Racecourse General Manager, said: “The racing has come thick and fast this month and we’re delighted to welcome all those who love the sport back for what promises to be another cracking afternoon.
”Together with the racing, we have our beer festival alongside the parade ring. It includes popular tipples from some of Cumbria’s best-known brewers including Tractor Shed, Hesket Newmarket and Carlisle Brewing Company.
“It should be the perfect day for fans of racing and real ale!”
Tickets are £15 for adults (in advance) or £18 (on the day). Under-18s free entry when accompanied by an adult. Gates open 12.25pm, first race is 2.25pm and last race 5.40pm.