Friday tips: Dave Nevison relying on Game Management

Sprint handicappers when on a roll generally go up in the weights quite considerably but Sergeant Mayer is an exception. 

Despite sharp improvement since he won a race in early August last year, he is running off a mark just 7lb higher. 

Nigel Tinkler’s gelding has been a model of consistency and his improvement does not appear to have stalled at all this season. He has won his past two races cosily. 

The latest win came in an apprentices’ event ,so he escapes a penalty and the way he won suggests strongly that he can land the hat-trick. 

He has held his form for a long time, so I don’t have concerns about him going over the top at this point of the season. 

When Game Management made his debut he was described as a horse who needed time. Given that he is by Nathaniel and his dam is closely related to a 2m winner, he likely needs distance as well. 

He wasn’t tried over this trip by Kevin Ryan but that looks to have given Lizzie Quinlan an opportunity to improve this gelding. 

He has raced twice for his new trainer over hurdles, winning first time up and then running well under a penalty last time. 

His Flat mark is interesting, as he is rated just 1lb higher than he won off last summer. Without the headgear he used to wear, he looks to be an improved performer and may well have a decent summer for his new yard. 

It would appear certain that Golden Goose’s form before he won last time out at Southwell is completely irrelevant as he never started at odds shorter than 50-1, even when dropped into handicaps and he ran races commensurate with those massive prices. 

However, it was all change when he came over here for a basement level handicap on the all-weather and with Rossa Ryan booked he was backed into 5-4 favourite and won cosily. 

Ryan is not on board this time but Conor Beasley will be a more than adequate replacement and judged by the way Golden Goosewon at Southwell he will be very well suited by a stiff track such as Carlisle. 

It is slightly concerning that he not been seen since March but that win came after nine months off and it would seem likely Golden Goose will be spot on once more.