Timeform UK SmartPlays: Monday February 18

We fancy one of Donald McCain's at Carlisle today

We're focussing on Carlisle for today's SmartPlays, with a run of three selections in the middle of their card.

Selection one will be familiar to regular followers of this column. We put up Renoyr (15:05) at Wetherby on his last start, when he finished a close third to Billy Twyford despite clattering the second last. There's a good chance Renoyr would have won without that error, but moreover he's simply improving for new trainer Malcolm Jefferson and finds himself just 3 lb higher today. The trip is a very small question mark, but only because his recent progress has come over trips around the minimum. The chances are this step up to an extended 19 furlongs will pose Renoyr few problems and he is well worth a bet at current prices.

We have to wait only 35 minutes for our second SmartPlay, which runs in a handicap chase over three and a quarter miles. It's not Emperor's Choice, for all Venetia Williams' in-form chaser is respected, but unexposed Donald McCain charge Sydney Paget. He's very much built for chasing but has taken time to adapt to the discipline, coming a cropper at Kelso then let down by late mistakes at Musselburgh before running out an easy (and importantly, a sure-footed) winner at Towcester last time. The mark handed out by the BHA certainly takes few chances, but a test of stamina is likely to draw more from Sydney Paget, while this relatively easy test of jumping takes away any lingering uncertainty on that score, so he could well prove himself ahead of his BHA rating at the first time of asking.

SmartPlay number three runs in the next race at 16:10, another handicap chase but this time over two and a half miles. Favourite Armedanddangerous is seeking a hat-trick, but his profile would suggest that a bad run will never be too far away. Besides, following a 10 lb rise he's probably not as well handicapped as Full of Joy. Only four starts into his own chasing career, Full of Joy has been handled with typical patience by connections, his jumping getting better by the run and lack of stamina probably lying behind his tame finishes. He's now down to a good mark, back in trip and fitted with a tongue tie. If Full of Joy is ever going to show how well treated he is, it will probably be today.

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Carlisle

Back Renoyr @ 4.3100/30 in the 15:05
Back Sydney Paget @ 5.59/2 in the 15:40
Back Full of Joy @ 7.613/2 in the 16:10 

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