The going at the time of writing for Cartmel on Monday is currently good, and they are watering to maintain, but with the current heatwave we are experiencing, you would expect it to probably only get quicker underfoot.
Quoteline Direct has run on 64 occasions to date, but only three of those runs have been over hurdles. He was last seen over timber in February of last year when finishing third at Sedgefield, which backed up his previous effort at Catterick, for which he was given an official mark of 118. All three of his hurdles runs appear to be well in advance of his recent flat form, but he is a keen sort, so he will have to settle quickly in this company if he is to be involved at the finish. The race is at 1.20.pm, a maiden hurdle over two miles and one furlong with Becky Smith who knows him very well in the saddle.
Excalibur came back to his best form when finishing runner up at Market Rasen last time, and will once again be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston in the 2.25.pm, a 0-100 handicap hurdle over two miles and six furlongs. He once again can compete from the same mark of 75, and he should see out this trip around this sharper track, but he probably wouldn't want the ground to get any quicker, as he has never run on a surface where there has been the word firm in the description.
Artic Quest goes to post 35 minutes later at 3.0.pm, in division two of the 0-100 handicap hurdle, over the two miles and six furlongs, where Becky Smith who has been in the saddle on four of his six starts since he arrived from Ireland, retains the ride. By far Artic Quest's best run for us came on stable debut over this course and distance last August when finishing second, although his effort at Carlisle in March when finishing fourth was also noteworthy. His last two starts have been disappointing, but he can now race from a 5lb lower mark than that Cartmel debut, he two would also probably not appreciate any firming of the ground.
Burnage Boy makes a return to hurdles for the first time since pulling up in soft ground at Sedgefield in March of last year.He has a couple of pieces of form in juvenile hurdles dating back to 2019 which would give him every chance from his current mark of 94, but he has been struggling to fully fire on the flat this past season. Burnage Boy will contest a 0-100 handicap hurdle over two miles and one furlong at 5.15.pm, with Alain Cawley riding him for the first time. He will have no ground worries, having shown form on a good, and good to firm surface.
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