Today's Tote Placepot Tips for Carlisle

Leg 1 Selections: So Scottish, Stoner’s Choice

SO SCOTTISH bolted up over hurdles in maiden at Kilbeggan early last month and created a deep impression on his chase debut seven days ago. The way he cruised clear, having jumped well throughout, was impressive and he should take some beating in his hat-trick bid. STONER’S CHOICE is rated the highest of these though and if he can jump as well as he can, which wasn’t the case last time, he should pose a threat to the former. 

Leg 2 Selections: Maximilian 

The Donald McCain-trained MAXIMILIAN both his bumper starts at this venue last season, looking strong at the finish, and should relish the step up in distance on hurdles debut. This race features quite a number of interesting newcomers but the former has the experience edge, is undefeated under rules, and should at the very least reach the frame. 

Leg 3 Selections: Fringill Dike, Sunset West

An ultra-competitive race but FRINGILL DIKE is a hurdler going places and completed the hat-trick on his return at Hexham, winning by sixteen lengths. This is a much tougher race but he’s on the upgrade, jumps well, has a lot of attributes and is expected to go well now he’s stepped up in grade with lots more to offer in this sphere. 

SUNSET WEST is another one I like. He ran very well here last time over fences despite being ridden too aggressively and returns to hurdles off an attractive mark. He goes well fresh and is unexposed compared to a few of these, so if able to handle the quicker conditions, he’s a player on his return. 

Leg 4 Selections: Dee Star 

Only three runners and only a pound separating them based on their official marks but fitness could prove crucial and DEE STAR, who has been in excellent form this year, gets the vote to win again. He was winning for the second time in four starts when last spotted and although this mark demands more, he has course form and cannot be discounted in his current mood. I’ll take a chance on him in this race. 

Leg 5 Selections: Maninsane

MANINSANE is going beyond two miles and a furlong for the first time here but the way he kept on last time, plus having stamina in his pedigree, suggests he could be suited to it. He has shaped well in both chase starts to date and if you go back to his run at Doncaster back in December, he looked set to defy a mark of 116, so his current mark of 110 with Lilly taking off a further five pounds, makes him extremely well-treated here. With lots more to come, the Charlie Longsdon-trained seven-year-old should go close. 

Leg 6 Selections: Baron Briggs, Paddy The Panda

BARON BRIGGS goes handicapping off a lenient mark and with every indication to suggest he’ll be better suited to this longer distance, he should be thereabouts. PADDY THE PANDA ran a good race when second last time and despite remaining winless after thirteen starts, he could be competitive with fitness likely to be no issue.