POP STAR should prove a smash hit in the opening Racing TV Apprentice Handicap (2.15) at Carlisle today.
The six-year-old son of Sioux Nation embarked on a 14-run losing streak after landing a handicap at Bath on Hallowe’en 2024 when in the care of Alice Haynes.
The last seven defeats came in the care of Iain Jardine but Pop Star came good at the eighth attempt for the Carrutherstown trainer over five furlongs in Cumbria 10 days go.
Sent off at 11-2 in a field of 10, my selection came home strongly from the back to beat Wee Mary by one length.
That victory was gained from a British Horseracing Authority rating of 64 and Pop Star competes from 69 today.
But that’s 1lb below the his previous winning mark and, having scored over six furlongs in the past, Pop Star should have no problem with the additional furlong here.
Cara Tuke claims a useful 7lb in this apprentice contest and Pop Star gets the Nap vote to go in again.
Article continues below
In Carlisle’s concluding Join Racing TV Now Handicap (5.28), RWNEARLYTHEREDAD , who showed up well at Ayr on his return to action last month, looks capable of giving his nine opponents weight and a beating.
Newsboy’s Monday selections CARLISLE 2.15 POP STAR (NAP) 2.45 LIGHT OF DAWN 3.15 PEARL 3.45 BATTENBURG BELLE 4.18 EMERY DOWN 4.53 AMANCIO 5.28 RWENEARLYTHEREDAD (NB) LEICESTER 1.30 BRADBURY 2.00 SEE AMNA 2.30 TIORA TIME 3.00 JELLYSTONE PARK 3.30 I’M DAN DARE 4.00 BUNGLE BAY 4.35 ZATSGOOD 5.10 DREAMBIRD DOLLY WINDSOR 5.04 WOOLISLE 5.39 GLORIOUS GAME 6.09 BAYAANN 6.39 COCKADE 7.09 ASTERIAL 7.39 REGAL ENVOY 8.09 GUINNESS LAD 8.39 SORTED PONTEFRACT 6.30 KOMORKIS 7.00 CONSULTATION 7.30 SAY WHAT YOU SEE 8.00 LARAVIE 8.30 PRINCESS NIYLA 9.00 CALL ME BETTY DOUBLE: POP STAR and RWENEARLYTHEREDAD