Cartmel 3:10 Result

Handmedownastar is clearly the class act here on official ratings (115, next best is 108), and his recent form figures 2132-1 show he's been running consistently well and just won last time out. Top weight is justified by that OR gap, and Sean D Bowen taking the ride for Nick Scholfield suggests confidence. The 99-day layoff is a minor concern but he was clearly progressing when last seen, winning his latest start. Cartmel's stiff, galloping 2m6f trip should suit a horse showing the sort of finishing pattern he has (1,3,2,1 in recent runs), and there's no reason to think this trip or ground (Good to Soft) is against him given the achieved form. The rest of the field is fairly moderate and closely-matched in the 97-108 OR band, none standing out as an obvious improver ready to reel in a horse rated 7lb+ superior. Fairlawn Skipper is interesting on a stronger recent effort but had a break in form before, and Nottodaybobo's 73-112 sequence is progressive but he's already had a good run 44 days ago and is unproven at this A-grade. Overall the market should reasonably favour Handmedownastar and I'm happy to back the form/class horse here as the best single bet in a moderate handicap.