Inch Perfect can prove too big an opponent for his rivals in tomorrow's feature race at Carlisle.

The Richard Fahey-trained gelding lines-up for the £20,000 Tote Credit Club Cumberland Plate and I fancy him to continue the excellent form of his rider Paul Hanagan, Britain's leading apprentice jockey.

Inch Perfect enjoyed a string of wins early in his career, which included one at York. The handicapper then caught up with him and Inch Perfect went through a two-year barren spell before returning to the winning groove a couple of weeks ago at Hamilton.

That battling success confirmed the seven-year-old to be in fine form once more and he has every chance of following-up tomorrow.

Al Azhar, a winner at Thirsk last time out, and the progressive Collier Hill, who is chasing a hat-trick, could give Inch Perfect most to do.

Fahey and Hanagan can also lift the EBF Fillies' Handicap with Market Avenue.

A winner at Redcar two outings ago, this three-year-old has since run creditably in defeat. Opportunity could come knocking for her again tomorrow.

Amused should not be overlooked in the Saffie Joseph & Sons Handicap over five furlongs. This Lynda Ramsden-trained filly has shown promise in her three starts in maiden company and now contests her first handicap.

Amused is owned and was bred by David Brotherton from Whitwell-on-the-Hill, whose previous horses out of the same mare include Surprised and Surprise Mission.

Diamond Girl (2.00) and Young Rosein (4.00) are also worth noting on the second day of the Carlisle meeting.

Trained by Geraldine Rees, Young Rosein is a previous course and distance winner and she looked to be coming back to form when finishing a close-up fifth at Thirsk nine days ago. The six-year-old gets my Nap tommorrow.

At Salisbury, Eastern Trumpeter can show his rivals the way home in the Blackthorn Cider Handicap over five furlongs.

Milton Bradley's six-year-old has been running well lately in defeat, not least at York 11 days ago when a creditable fifth to Maromito.

Sheik'n Swing has been in good heart recently and Bill Turner's filly has good claims in the Axminster Apprentice Handicap. Nick Farmer has the mount on the three-year-old, who has won two of her last three starts.

The improving Tout Seul (3.15) and the promising Mojalid (4.45) are also worth considering at Salisbury.

Thursday's tips:

Carlisle

2.00 - Diamond Girl

2.30 - Drinkin Time

3.00 - Inch Perfect

3.30 - Market Avenue

4.00 - Young Rosein (Nap)

4.30 - Adaleel

5.00 - Amused

Salisbury

2.15 - Sheik'n Swing

2.45 - Albareq

3.15 - Tout Seul

3.45 - Eastern Trumpeter

4.15 - Camzo

4.45 - Mojalid

5.15 - Fife And Drum

Updated: 12:24 Wednesday, June 26, 2002