Timeform Radio Tips: Glacier looks an ice bet

Carlisle is the venue for today's bets.

Rory Delargy highlights a couple of bets for Friday's action...

Once again, the limitless optimism of Britain's Clerks of The Course has been highlighted, with York confidently predicting good to soft ground in advance of today's meeting only for the Knavesmire to once again live up to its name. What exactly is the point of such ridiculous and misleading assessments?

My proposed best bet is already a non-runner due to conditions, and it seems wisest to head instead to Carlisle for today's best bets. The novice chase at 17:00 is a cracking contest in which Cheltenham and Aintree festival winner Attaglance makes his debut over the larger obstacles. He's much respected but may not enjoy the deep ground today, and is reluctantly passed over in favour of Dark Glacier. Chris Grant's gelding has looked a chaser since day one, and so deserves credit for managing 2 wins in bumpers and in novice hurdles, despite looking pretty raw at times. He's not as good over timber as some of today's rivals, but looks the type to take higher order in his new sphere, and looks overpriced at 13.0 on Betfair.

Earlier on the card, it may also pay to side with another seasonal debutant in the shape of Prosecco, who has the penalised Moulin de La Crois to beat in the 2m handicap chase at 16:30. The latter would be the clear pick if allowed to dominate, but that looks unlikely with the likes of Carrietau and Storm Surge in the field. A battle up front will suit Lucinda Russell's charge who didn't win last season, but ran well on occasion, including on his return, and has slipped to what is a workable mark. He handles testing ground well, and should provide some value at odds of 5.2.

Timeform Radio Tips
Both at Carlisle
Back Prosecco @ 5.14/1 in the 16:30
Back Dark Glacier @ 13.012/1 in the 17:00

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