UK Horse Racing Tips: Cartmel

ELHAM VALLEY arrives on the back of two runner-up efforts at Southwell and Kempton and the six-year-old gelding looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to go one place better. The James Moffatt yard always has to be respected at this venue, with C&D winner Battle Of Toro appearing the chief threat judged on jockey bookings. His stablemate Yukon likely has more to offer in this sphere now entering handicaps and shouldn't be underestimated.
Prediction : 1st Elham Valley 2nd Battle Of Toro 3rd Yukon

IDEALDES VILLERETS made the perfect stable debut at Worcester earlier in the month and he's hard to oppose on the ratings in this contest. Special Rate has 11lb to find with the selection and races off equal terms, yet he appears the only conceivable threat of those who have raced over jumps. Grand Scheme was a useful stayer on the Flat and is the potential fly in the ointment now tackling hurdles for the first time, so Sam England's charge is feared most.
Prediction : 1st Idealdes Villerets 2nd Grand Scheme 3rd Special Rate

HEY BOB may need to improve on his recent runner-up effort at Fakenham, nevertheless, he is now 1lb lower than his triumph in this race last year and the booking of Brian Hughes suggests a big run is anticipated. Clean Getaway enjoys a further 2lb drop in the ratings and first-time cheekpieces may see the son of Getaway proving more competitive, while connections of Edinburgh Rock reach for a visor and he could post an improved bid on this handicap bow.
Prediction : 1st Hey Bob 2nd Clean Getaway 3rd Edinburgh Rock

SWORD OF FATE has proven that he still has plenty to offer with a handful of solid performances this year and having gone close off this mark at Perth 13 days ago, the Leonard Kerr-trained gelding looks capable of another bold show despite being burdened with top-weight. We'll Go Again reverts to chasing after a couple of respectable spins on the Flat and is highly respected, as is the case with Stratford winner Line Of Descent, who still has scope off just 5lb higher.
Prediction : 1st Sword Of Fate 2nd Well Go Again 3rd Line Of Descent

GREY SKIES might have been fortunate to win a match race when his only rival unseated the rider after the final fence at Sedgefield on his penultimate start, but there was plenty to like about the performance he posted when he followed up at Perth last month. A 5lb rise looks fair after that comfortable success and he could be hard to beat with a similar effort. Hidden Depths and Vintage Fizz also arrive at the top of their game and look the pick of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Grey Skies 2nd Vintage Fizz 3rd Hidden Depths

TIME LEADER ran with plenty of credit when fifth in the Aintree Foxhunters and subsequently backed that up with an easy success at Kelso earlier this month. This represents a fine opportunity for the nine-year-old to prove a cut above the opposition. Shoal Bay has to be of interest on his debut in this sphere, while Gaboriot appears best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Time Leader 2nd Shoal Bay 3rd Gaboriot

OUR LAURA B has progressed well since beginning life in handicap company, winning two of her three starts including at Newcastle in impressive fashion, and the five-year-old is expected to continue her fine run of form. Thatbeatsbanagher boasts a similar profile to the selection, having won on the same card last time, and he can enter calculations, along with Curley Finger.
Prediction : 1st Our Laura B 2nd Thatbeatsbanagher 3rd Curley Finger