Having thrown a sickie today (a real one, nothing to do with wanting to watch the golf or anything) I am looking forward to watching some summer jumps racing from Cartmel - a lovely little course, very picturesque and always a good crowd there. One of those Monday meetings where you just know AP McCoy would be there if he were still riding
The handicap chase at 4.55 looks a real cracker with a full 23lbs between top and bottom weight and all 8 runners in with some sort of chance (please, no non-runner here today, d'you hear?). With 4 of the 8 previous C&D winners I think it is likely that today's victor will be one of those 4. Top weight Swaledale Lad has too much weight for me, even with Harry Challoner taking off 3lbs. Fantasy King was upped 6lbs for winning here and then unseated at the 2nd fence next time out at Worcester. I think he may have profited from a canny ride when winning at Cartmel and I'm not sure he can defy the rise today. On previous course running it should be close between Sergeant Pick and
Toledo Gold but preference is for the latter, who comes here on the back of an excellent weight-carrrying victory over C&D a month ago and can score again today off a 4lb higher mark.