Cartmel Tips: Willaston the form choice for Walford

With six British and Irish meetings taking place across Monday there's lots of racing action to cater for all tastes. Amongst it will be the jumps card from Cartmel, where they have seven races from 14:20-16:45 on ground forecast to be 'Good to soft-soft in places'.

We've picked out a trio to follow at the Cumbrian venue, including one for trainer Mark Walford whose form looks standout and can get back to the winner's enclosure.

14:55 – Willaston @ 17/2

Dan Skelton's Take No Chances has a progressive profile and could be tough to beat bidding for a hat-trick in the 3m1½f handicap hurdle, but the mare has the burden of top weight and 12 stone to carry so she might be vulnerable.

With that in mind, it might pay to side with the Mark Walford-trained WILLASTON, who will receive 7lb from the forecast favourite. He had a light campaign last season, running just twice, but finished an eye-catching second behind Uncle Bert when last seen at Bangor.

Back in third on the day was Pickanumber, who has won twice subsequently, including a 15-length victory in the valuable Swinton Hurdle at Haydock, so the form looks very strong indeed.

16:05 – Pay The Piper @ 17/2

A market watch is advised for the JP McManus runner Ciel De Neige here, a horse who was formerly trained by Willie Mullins and has gone from a mark of 152 down to 125 in the last 12 months. He has been in horrific form and can't be advised at present.

The most solid bet in the 2m1½f handicap chase is PAY THE PIPER, who was a solid fourth at Kelso this month and was a tad unlucky not to win at Newcastle on his penultimate start when hitting the front too soon only to be reeled in late.

This trip is fine for Pay The Piper, who certainly stays further, but he's running off a career-low mark now and connections will be looking to exploit his mark sooner rather than later.

16:40 – Grey Skies @ 11/2

Winless in nine starts, GREY SKIES is a consistent performer and can land the 2m5f handicap chase for trainer Donald McCain, with former champion jockey Brian Hughes booked for the ride.

The gelding only found one too good in a handicap chase on this card last year, and is now 6lb lower in the weights. He failed to land a blow when a remote fourth at Bangor when last seen, but was narrowly denied at Carlisle on his penultimate start.

Cartmel is a frontrunners' track, so it will be interesting to see how Hughes rides this horse. He can be patiently ridden but it would be no surprise to see him get a more forceful ride and he's certainly handicapped to strike so he is a bet for us.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.