Thursday tips: Dave Nevison's best bets at Carlisle

Hasn’t run since May, but was certainly on the up when we last saw him and, given the current form of his trainer, Dan Skelton, I will be very surprised if he gets beat due to lack of fitness here. 

After quiet runs in bumpers and novice hurdles, Mr Hope Street has really improved for a step up in distance and has won his past two starts in handicaps in convincing fashion. 

He had two next time out winners behind him when he won at Market Rasen, so even though it came at a basement level, the victory looks solid form. 

He is only up to a mark of 103 here, and I doubt whether he has reached the ceiling of his abilities over hurdles. He will definitely be suited by the stiff test, too.

Dominic’s Fault looks another promising young staying hurdler to keep an eye out for, and he too comes from a stable going great guns, so I am also not concerned about an absence since February. 

When Olly Murphy got him to win at Leicester back in January, it was his first run for 20 months, so he clearly goes well fresh. 

In fact, his only subsequent run might have come too quickly, so it may well be the best time to catch him. The Whateley’s never rush their horses, who are famous for being stayers, and this seven-year-old looks a future staying chaser.

He cost £180k and is very well related, so hopefully this contest will provide a stepping stone to better things this winter.

Jonjo O’Neill often chooses Carlisle as a track to bring forward his better youngsters, and the fact the Fortunate Man is running in his first ever handicap in this 0-120 chase makes me think he is quite well thought of, and might have got in leniently despite top weight. 

He preformed well in his four races over hurdles last season. He was unlucky to unseat his rider on his debut, and he then won two of his next three starts. He won his only point-to-point, which probably goes some way to explaining his €210,000 sales price, and he certainly looks to be a horse with potential in a field of mainly modest and exposed types.