4:27 Carlisle Tips

Is quite lightly raced over fences but appears to have taken well to the new discipline, having won once and been placed twice in his last three starts. Been raised slightly by the handicapper but expected to be bang there.

Hello Judge is the course specialist and last year's winner. Although a 10-year-old did get four wins last year and, when second up this year, came home with another win last month in a C3 off a 118, which does put him top weight for today, I still think it could be doable.

Cerendipity's mark has been falling this season, while his performance in chases has been plagued with jumping errors. On better going at Carlisle, he could get competitive if he avoids the mistakes.

Four runs for a new yard after joining them last autumn, form 3312. The 8yo won a much stronger handicap two starts back, just a 4 lb higher mark today. Runner-up to a smart-looking type three weeks ago in another strong handicap race. He could have another big run in him, and he was rated 14 lb higher at the start of 2025.

Trac has proved a different proposition since being fitted with blinkers, and another bold bid is forecast. The nine-year-old is only 1 lb worse off with current favourite Wolfburg, and the price disparity makes little sense to me.

Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore have had a good start to their training partnership and can continue it here with Walk On Quest in this two-and-a-half-mile final that is named after the great Monet's Garden. I believe he has been aimed at this all season, or certainly since he finished a three-length runner-up to the useful Trac at Newcastle in December; the winner went on to win an even better race next time out. Last time he finished a disappointing sixth at Wetherby in January, but I will forgive him that and remember he runs here a lb lower than he carried at Newcastle.

Won this race off an 8 lb higher mark two years ago, and I'm hoping that he's been plotted to regain his crown. Menzies was on TV the other day talking about how she mentions these big-pot finals, and the early price cuts suggest I'm not the only one interested.