6.20 Cartmel (8 runners)
Racing Welfare Novices Hurdle (GBB Race)
2m1f

Based on the total ratings, the top five horses in order are “Idealdes Villerets”, “Special Rate”, “Grand Scheme”, “City Vaults”, and “Foxwood”.

1. “Idealdes Villerets” leads the ratings with a total of 435.8. The comments highlight its recent victory at Worcester where it confirmed its potential, making it an obvious contender in this race. It has had a wind operation recently and has been showing great promise, winning a French bumper.
2. “Special Rate” is ranked second with a total rating of 377.0. It secured a win at Newcastle after coming second at Kelso, suggesting some form of consistency. The horse that it lost to at Kelso went on to complete a hat-trick, hinting at a strong performance from Special Rate. Therefore, this horse has a good chance in this race.
3. “Grand Scheme” holds the third position with a total rating of 330.1. The horse has been a useful handicapper at up to 1m6f for Richard Hannon, even emerging as a dual winner last year. Despite this, the horse is now debuting with a tongue-tie on for the first time, which makes it an interesting contender.
4. “City Vaults” is in fourth place with a rating of 288.6. The comments show that it has been a dual winner on the Flat at up to 1m6f for David O’Meara. Although it lacks a recent outing, City Vaults could perform well on its first run for the new trainer.
5. “Foxwood” comes fifth with a total rating of 284.9. It had a decent second place on bumper debut at Catterick in February. Although it floundered in testing ground last time, Foxwood could be quite interesting on its hurdle debut.

In terms of positive comments for horses not within the top five ratings, none particularly stand out. Horses like “Acoustic”, “Captain Nelson”, and “Confelicity” have modest performances or need significant improvements to contend.

In conclusion, based on total ratings and additional comments, “Idealdes Villerets” and “Special Rate” appear to be the top contenders for this race, with both showing consistent form and promising potential. The debutant “Grand Scheme” might also surprise in the race with its history as a useful handicapper.

6.50 Cartmel (11 runners)
Strathmore Hotels Selling Handicap Hurdle
2m1f

In this 11-runner Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cartmel, based purely on the total ratings, our top five contenders are:

1. Hey Bob
2. Calevade
3. Princess Poppy
4. True Romance
5. Ingleby Mackenzie

Hey Bob tops the ratings chart, and based on the comments, it seems the horse’s seven-time hurdle wins and being a previous winner of this race put him in a strong position. Despite a bit of loss of form, his recent second-place finish at Fakenham highlights his potential in this race.

Calevade comes in second on the ratings but based on the comments, he had an encouraging handicap hurdle debut earlier in the year. Although, he ran poorly in a recent Flat race and has been withdrawn twice recently due to unsuitable good ground. As the ground for this race is also good, this may not be in his favour.

Third on the list, Princess Poppy, is unexposed with only four hurdle runs but was tailed off in her recent handicap debut. She would need a significant improvement here with the assistance of better ground and first-time cheekpieces.

True Romance, ranked fourth, won on the AW in December and is well handicapped based on last year’s hurdling form. However, his recent fourth-place finish at Fakenham doesn’t inspire confidence.

Ingleby Mackenzie is a chase and triple hurdle winner when trained in Ireland but has seen his form decline since joining his current stable. The return of blinkers might be a positive change but he needs to reverse his recent form to stand a chance.

In terms of the comments, Clean Getaway, despite being ranked lower in the ratings, deserves a special mention. The horse took a positive step in the right direction with a fourth-place finish at Market Rasen and the addition of first-time cheekpieces may further enhance his performance. He could potentially outperform his rating and should be considered as a contender.

7.20 Cartmel (10 runners)
Champagne Louis Roederer Handicap Chase
2m1½f

Based on the total ratings and provided comments, here is an analysis of the top contenders in the Champagne Louis Roederer Handicap Chase at Cartmel:

1. Sword Of Fate (IRE): With the highest total rating of 349.6, this horse is the strongest contender in this race. Having returned to form with a front-running win at Wetherby, Sword Of Fate has also performed well at Perth recently and is suited to this course and distance. Given the horse’s consistency in recent performances and strong total rating, it seems to have an exceptional chance in this race.
2. Well Go Again (IRE): Rated 337.0 in total, Well Go Again stands as the second-strongest contender. Even though it didn’t win its chasing debut at Market Rasen, the horse showed promise by maintaining a decent pace. Moreover, it remains well handicapped on some of last year’s hurdling form and has run well on the Flat since. If it maintains the momentum, it could very well give a tough competition.
3. Line Of Descent (IRE): Holding a total rating of 333.1, Line Of Descent takes the third spot. Since being switched to fences, this horse has shown consistency and won at Stratford last month. Despite a 5lb rise in weights, Line Of Descent is expected to perform well on the faster ground, suggesting it will be a strong contender.
4. War At Sea (IRE): Though War At Sea ranks fourth with a total rating of 301.0, it’s important to consider that it is a 25-race maiden who ran a strong race over this course and distance in summer 2021. However, it’s also worth noting the horse is effectively 6lb higher out of the weights today and had a low-key return from a long absence last month, which might affect its performance.
5. Check My Pulse (IRE): With a total rating of 284.2, Check My Pulse sits at the fifth position. It returned with a satisfactory run from a 169-day absence and has won off 2lb lower at Carlisle in the past. It is also effective at this track, making it one to consider, even if it’s not a top-three choice based on ratings.

Out of the top five, Sword Of Fate (IRE) and Well Go Again (IRE) stand out as having an exceptional chance based on their current form and total ratings. As always in racing, while the ratings provide an excellent guide, the final results can often be influenced by factors such as the horse’s current form, the jockey’s skill, and race-day conditions.

7.50 Cartmel (6 runners)
MUV Novices Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
2m5f

1. Grey Skies (IRE) – Total Rating: 492.0
   The highest rated horse in this race, Grey Skies is a serious contender. With two chase wins since a wind operation, the most recent victory at Perth last month, this horse is in form. It’s worth noting that the runner-up from that race went on to win next time out. This could indicate that Grey Skies’ form is even stronger than it first appears. Now 5lb higher in the weights, this should not pose a significant problem and this horse has a strong chance in this race.
2. Vintage Fizz – Total Rating: 411.8
   Second on the Total Ratings is Vintage Fizz. This horse is a dual hurdle winner and successfully transferred that form over to fences, winning on chase debut at Hexham last time out. With a 6lb rise in weight, the challenge is slightly tougher, but the horse should be expected to run well again given its recent success.
3. Post No Bills (IRE) – Total Rating: 368.8
   Post No Bills is the third-rated horse in this race. A point winner, this horse recently won at Fontwell, which indicates some good form. However, the horse faces a stiffer task off this 9lb higher mark in a higher class race. The extended trip should not pose a problem, but Post No Bills will need to demonstrate improvement to take this race.
4. Zumbi (GER) – Total Rating: 349.3
   In the fourth place in the ratings, Zumbi was successful over hurdles here last May. However, this horse was beaten by 17 lengths when fourth in a C&D handicap on chase debut recently. Improvement will be needed to compete with the top contenders in this race.
5. Hidden Depths (IRE) – Total Rating: 347.2
   Rated slightly below Zumbi, Hidden Depths is a winning hurdler who scored impressively on chase debut at Kempton last time out. However, it is worth noting that all of his jump wins have been when going right-handed, which might not suit this left-handed track.
6. Jelski (GER) – Total Rating: 276.6
   Jelski, with the lowest Total Rating, is a dual hurdle winner at this venue but hasn’t demonstrated the same level of form over fences. After a break and facing four in-form rivals, this horse has a significant task ahead.

In conclusion, the top-ranked horse Grey Skies appears to have an exceptional chance based on the recent form and the success of the runner-up from its last race. The second-ranked Vintage Fizz, with a successful chase debut last time, is also a notable contender. The other horses will need to show improvement to compete with these front-runners.

8.20 Cartmel (8 runners)
Cartmel Racecourse Open Hunters Chase
3m1½f

The Cartmel Racecourse Open Hunters Chase is a class 5 race stretching over 3m1½f and includes eight competitors. This analysis is based primarily on the Total Ratings and will include extra considerations derived from the horses’ comments where needed.

1. Time Leader (IRE) – Total Rating: 507.8
   Time Leader tops the list with the highest rating. The horse demonstrated its career-best performance when fifth in the Aintree Foxhunters and followed this up by winning a modest novice hunter at Kelso. All of Time Leader’s chase wins have been over an extended 2m6f or less, though it has been victorious over 3m in point-to-point racing. Based on these considerations, Time Leader seems to have a solid chance in this race.
2. Dressedforsuccess – Total Rating: 385.2
   Dressedforsuccess ranks second on the ratings list. The horse has won five times at this venue, with the most recent victory coming in a two-finisher handicap over this distance last May. The horse pulled up in a Carlisle hunter chase in March on heavy ground, but it should fare better on today’s good ground. Given its track form, Dressedforsuccess is likely to make a strong showing in this race.
3. Write It Down (IRE) – Total Rating: 368.6
   Third on the ratings list, Write It Down was awarded the race after finishing runner-up at 50-1 in this contest last year. The horse has shown mixed form since but was victorious in a point-to-point race in its most recent start. Write It Down cannot be ruled out and is a horse to consider in this race.
4. Step Back (IRE) – Total Rating: 272.5
   With the fourth highest rating, Step Back had its best hunter chase run when finishing a creditable second at Carlisle in March. However, the horse was well beaten in the Aintree Foxhunters next time out. Given the competitive field in this race, Step Back may be more of an each-way chance.

In conclusion, Time Leader and Dressedforsuccess, being the top-ranked horses, have a significant chance in this race based on their recent performances and track form. Write It Down, with past success in this contest and a recent point-to-point win, could also pose a threat.

8.50 Cartmel (8 runners)
Hales Of Cartmel Handicap Hurdle
2m6f

The Hales Of Cartmel Handicap Hurdle is a class 4 race, covering a distance of 2m6f with eight entrants. The analysis below is mainly centred around the Total Ratings, with added insights from the comments about the horses.

1. Alqamar – Total Rating: 417.0
   Alqamar has the highest rating among the competitors. It won four consecutive races over 2m/2m1f in 2021, three of which were at this course. Despite failing to perform to the same standard in 2022, the horse is still on a favourable mark and could be intriguing with a longer trip. As a former flat racer, Alqamar has proven to be quite useful up to 1m6f. This makes Alqamar a top contender in this race.
2. Our Laura B (IRE) – Total Rating: 413.8
   Our Laura B, holding the second-highest rating, is a progressive horse, having won two mares’ handicaps out of the last three starts, including an easy victory at Newcastle. Although it faces a higher mark now, Our Laura B should not be underestimated considering its recent form.
3. Thatbeatsbanagher (IRE) – Total Rating: 392.1
   Thatbeatsbanagher is third in the ratings. This horse has been in good form this year, winning two out of four races and finishing second in the others. The most recent victory was at Newcastle (2m7f, good), following which the horse was given a 4lb increase. Thatbeatsbanagher is another horse that could pose a serious threat in this race.
4. Curley Finger (IRE) – Total Rating: 382.5
   In fourth place based on the total ratings, Curley Finger was victorious at Musselburgh with first-time cheekpieces in March and delivered a strong performance in Kelso’s recent race. Given its recent form, Curley Finger is one to watch out for.

In conclusion, Alqamar and Our Laura B are top-ranked horses with significant chances based on their recent performances and track form. Thatbeatsbanagher, with its consistent form this year, could also be a major contender in this race. Lastly, Curley Finger, based on its latest form, is another horse to consider for this race.