Last year's winner Big Bee Hive is back down to a good mark but he looked rather laboured when fourth at Southwell last month and his chance may depend upon him being perked up by a change of headgear. Preference is for 2023 winner LIGHTS ARE GREEN (nap), who shaped much more encouragingly than his eventual 22l defeat might suggest at Hexham three weeks ago when returning from a layoff. Judicial Review, another course winner, is open to improvement over fences if fully tuned up after his nine-month absence.[Chris Wilson]
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No longer the force of old but won off reduced mark at Carlisle (3m, good) last month and again stuck to his task well when second at Kelso (2m7f, good) a fortnight later; reportedly not suited by the good to soft ground when well beaten on latest outing; contender if able to rebound here.
Dual chase winner in France last year (2m4f/2m2f, soft); no match for easy winner when second of five on this month's British chasing debut at Fakenham (2m5f, good) and needs improvement over this new trip.
Three-time chase winner (including this race in 2024) who is usually ridden very patiently; not really firing on all cylinders this year but wasn't beaten far when fourth at Southwell (3m, good) last month and might be boosted by a change of headgear here.
Won this race in 2023 and collected another good-ground C&D win last summer; returned from layoff with a satisfactory run at Hexham three weeks ago and returns here on a good mark; one to note.
Scored over C&D (good) in summer 2023 and also has three other course wins on his CV; ended 2024 in poor form over hurdles and returns from five-month break with quite a bit to prove but has slipped to a very tempting mark.
Has run well at this track and is very well handicapped on old form but pulled up on all three starts since returning in December from a mammoth absence and needs to prove some ability remains; blinkers refitted.
Responded well to first-time blinkers when making all here (2m5f, soft) last summer, his second chase start; has fitness to prove after nine-month absence but is open to further progress over fences if today's different trip-and-ground combination also suits.
0-12 over fences; gave good account when second at Ayr (3m, soft; also suited by good) in March but two lesser efforts have followed (chase/hurdle); first visit to Cartmel; others preferred.
Came good at 32nd attempt, from just out of the weights in Perth chase (3m, good) ten days ago; has run well here (albeit over hurdles) and is still unexposed over staying trips; no surprise if he features.
Dual point winner who is still unexposed under rules; not beaten far when fifth on recent chasing debut at Uttoxeter (3m, good; several fences omitted) but needs to build on that performance here and didn't get far at Hexham on Tuesday.
0-24 under all codes and not very reliable but gave very good account when fourth from out of the weights at Kelso (2m7f, good) last month and is effectively 9lb lower from correct mark here; had excuse when pulled up last time (stirrup snapped); not ruled out.
Veteran who has not been with Lizzie Quinlan long and went down fighting when close second at Hexham (3m, good) on Tuesday; effectively only 2lb higher today but was well beaten on both previous visits to Cartmel.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
