4.25pm Cartmel Tips & Betting Preview 24/07/2017

A field of seven go to post for this competitive Class 3 handicap at Cartmel on Monday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Course and distance winner Wisty has a good record here and has to be respected, but it’s about time that DE FAOITHESDREAM returned to winning ways for Evan Williams. He is now eight pounds below his last winning mark and has been competing in much tougher races of late, with this being his easiest test for a good while. He will try to lead but even if he’s unable to do so, the strong pace that should be ensured by Smadynium and the aforementioned Wisty will help him immensely. Soft ground will see him in his element and he looks very tough to beat, with Domtaline likely to fill second as he’ll be coming fast and late off this strong gallop.

1 SMADYNIUM – Front runner for John Joseph Hanlon who has been very mixed since a good spell at Christmas where he won three times and placed second once. He was last seen at Downpatrick where he fell when well beaten in last and he’s only one pound lower here. Softer conditions will suit and Rachael Blackmore takes off a handy three pounds, but he’s unlikely to have it all his own way out in front and others make far more appeal on this occasion.

2 OLIVER’S GOLD – Inconsistent nine year old for Mark Walford who won on his penultimate start over course and distance, but failed to back that up when five pounds higher at Aintree subsequently. That was a better race than this, but he was still disappointing and a mark of 127 demands more, as he’s never won off a mark this high in the past. He has the ground to suit and Emma Todd retains the ride, but others have more pressing claims.

3 NICOLAS CHAUVIN – Ex Nicky Henderson inmate who made his debut for James Moffatt on his latest start over course and distance, finishing fifth after keeping on far too late in the day. He remains on the same mark and switches back to chasing, with the strong pace here which will help tow him into the race. The main problem however is that he is yet to prove himself on soft ground, which is cause for concern. Each way claims under Brian Hughes but he should find at least a few too good in this.

4 WISTY – Good record here for Martin Todhunter, winning over course and distance on his latest start by a huge distance, making all on his chasing debut. He makes his handicap debut over fences off a very attractive mark and has the scope to make a much better chaser in time. Henry Brooke retains the ride and he looks a big danger, but he will not have it all his own way out in front and the softer ground isn’t ideal. Should be in the hunt but can be taken on.

5 DOMTALINE – Has done most of his winning on a good surface, but he arrives here on the back of a good win over course and distance, ahead of a horse who has followed up twice since. He is up six pounds for that latest win, but this will be run at very fast clip, which he will love as he tends to come fast and late off a strong gallop. Ryan Winks retains the ride and takes five pounds off his back, so he has to be respected.

6 FANTASY KING – Won off this mark in 2016 for James Moffatt, but this course and distance winner hasn’t been at his best for a while now and needs to bounce back to form in a competitive race. He showed some better form when fourth over hurdles when last seen here, but he faded towards the finish and the softer ground here is unlikely to be ideal, as he has usually avoided it throughout his career. Others have more pressing claims.

7 DE FAOITHESDREAM – Game eleven year old for Evan Williams who is now eight pounds below his last winning mark and has been competing in much tougher races the last twice. As a result his mark has continued to tumble and he’s now far too well treated to be ignored, with Adam Wedge retaining the ride. He would ideally like to lead but can he can do well if tracking a strong pace, which he will get in this with both Wisty and Smadynium likely to go forward. Soft ground will see him in his element and he looks very tough to beat with all factors in his favour this afternoon.