'He feels like a serious horse' - excitement as Kalif Du Berlais returns at Carlisle and Rooneys restart jumps interest

Punting pointers from each of today's race meetings . . .

Carlisle: Cobden makes rare visit

Fresh from a Saturday five-timer at Wincanton, Paul Nicholls unleashes Kalif Du Berlais, described as one of his leading prospects, in Carlisle's 2m graduation chase (2.00).

The four-year-old looked destined for big things last season and is now switched to fences for just his fifth start against some useful opposition, including the experienced Unexpected Party and recent Cheltenham winner Path D'Oroux.

Champion jockey Harry Cobden makes a rare visit to Carlisle and said: "He's an intended runner but we'll walk the track and if we're not happy we won't run because he's a proper horse and I wouldn't want to risk him if the ground was too quick.

"He's got loads of class, jumps well and he'd be one of my main horses to follow this season. He's got that weight allowance and feels like a serious horse."

Also on the card is a first jumps runner since February 2021 for Grade 1-winning owners Paul and Clare Rooney. They are represented by Oh Clare in the bumper (3.40) for Jonjo and AJ O'Neill.

Kalif Du Berlais14:00 Carlisle

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Paul Nicholls

Kempton: flashy Flat horse back over jumps

HMS President finished runner-up on the Flat in last year's Rosebery Handicap on the all-weather and returns to Kempton to make his second start over hurdles in the 2m novice event (12.45).

The seven-year-old, who reached a rating of 101 on the Flat, made a pleasing start over hurdles when second to Lario at Plumpton in February. He was travelling best turning for home but was just found out close home. He has untapped potential in this sphere.

His trainer Alan King enjoyed a decent winner when Harbour Lake struck at Aintree on Saturday and the top trainer, who excels with dual-purpose horses, won this contest with a similar sort to HMS President when Top Tug succeeded in 2016.

Other smart prospects to have won the race in the last decade include the Nicky Henderson-trained Mr Whipped, Attacca and Champion Hurdle winner Epatante.

HMS President12:45 Kempton

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Jky: Tom Cannon Tnr: Alan King

Kempton: unbeaten record

Jamie Snowden is 2-2 with runners in handicap chases at Kempton this season and looks to complete the hat-trick with Climbing in the 2m4½f novice handicap chase (1.15)

Newcastle: Usher's hat-trick-seeker

Such is the dominance of the big stables that it is rare a smaller yard can stumble upon one good enough to remain unbeaten, even if it is for just two starts.

However, that is the case in the 7f novice as Mark Usher's Searchingtheblues (5.30) goes in search of a hat-trick after wins at Kempton and Wolverhampton.

The Due Diligence filly, who cost 19,000gns as a yearling, won by a neck on her first start at 50-1 before beating a short-priced George Boughey-trained runner at Kempton when an impressive eight-length winner. She could have another from that stable to contend with this time around in North Star.

Lambourn-based Usher is not a regular at Newcastle but does boast a good record with those he sends on the 587-mile round trip – two of his seven runners on the all-weather track have won.

Searchingtheblues17:30 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Tom Kiely-Marshall (5lb)Tnr: Mark Usher

Newcastle: trainer to watch

Ed Dunlop is 2-5 with nursery runners at Newcastle and saddles handicap newcomer Clever Jack in the 7f contest (5.00) with Billy Loughnane booked.

Wolverhampton: promising young rider

Jack Doughty recorded his biggest winner when successful aboard Lord Melbourne in the November Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday.

The young jockey, who stayed in the apprentice championship picture for most of the season behind eventual winner Sean D Bowen, has had a good year plying his trade at the smaller tracks and will be hoping to get more winners on the board here.

Most of his success has come for his biggest supporter Tony Carroll and the pair combine with two interesting chances in the shape of My Ghengis (5.45) and Cut To The Chase (7.45). Doughty also rides Young Fire (4.15) and Tango Sunset (7.15).

Doughty's only previous ride for David O'Meara was a winning one aboard Young Fire at Haydock. This will be the hardy nine-year-old's 106th start as he bids for a 14th win.