West Yorkshire trainer Sue Smith, preparing for a bold bid at Cheltenham next week, can keep up her winning momentum at Carlisle tomorrow.

The Bingley-based handler saddles Cardinal Mark in the Waver Conditional Jockeys' Claiming Hurdle and the ten-year-old is fancied to score after a promising effort last time out.

Smith is enjoying a great campaign, with more than fifty winners. Next week at Cheltenham her main hope is Royal Emperor, a prolific winner this season, who goes for the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase.

Cardinal Mark is not in the same league as Royal Emperor, but he will not need to be to win tomorrow's modest contest.

The Canonbie Handicap Chase offers Young Chevalier the chance to complete a quick double before the handicapper catches up with him.

Martin Todhunter's gelding significantly raised his game at Doncaster last weekend, romping home a clear winner. Consequently, he will take a hike in the handicap from this Saturday, but a 7lb penalty hardly looks enough to anchor him tomorrow. Graham Lee again has the mount.

In the John Baker Happy Birthday Novices' Hurdle, Monet's Garden should not be overlooked.

Impressive winner of his only start in a bumper last season, Nicky Richards' exciting prospect also scored in fine style on his hurdling debut at Kelso back in November.

Laid low afterwards with a pulled muscle, Monet's Garden is now back firing again and the six-year-old is napped to pick up here where he left off, with Tony Dobbin in the saddle.

If any horse is overdue a win it is surely Red Rampage, who has finished second on his last three starts, running creditable races each time.

The nine-year-old gets another opportunity to break the mould in the Bank of Scotland Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles. In his favour is the fact that he is a former winner over this course and distance. David O'Meara again has the mount on Henry Hogarth's charge.

Larry McGrath, who has an exciting challenge at Cheltenham next week when he partners the front-running Our Armageddon, a prolific winner this season, in the Arkle Trophy, can warm-up for that keenly-awaited mount by winning the Weatherbys Insurance Beginners' Chase on High Cotton.

Mary Reveley's gelding ran well here at the last meeting when second to his stablemate Malek. A reproduction of that form would probably be good enough to see him home in front this time.

At Wincanton, Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls can continue their splendid campaign with yet another winner, courtesy of Saint Esteben in the Blue Square Novices' Chase.

Although yet to win this term, Saint Esteben has been restricted to just two races and has finished second in both. A third-time-lucky bid is anticipated tomorrow.

Spring Pursuit has been running really well throughout the winter and the eight-year-old is fancied to record his second success in the Blue Square-sponsored Handicap Hurdle.

Cheltenham Gold Cup second favourite Jair Du Cochet has been put down after suffering a fractured leg on the gallops.

The French-based star pulled up lame with a bad fracture to his off-hind cannon-bone, which could not be repaired.

Thursday's tips:

Carlisle

2.05 Monet's Garden (Nap), 2.40 Red Rampage, 3.15 Karatchi, 3.50 High Cotton, 4.25 Cardinal Mark, 5.00 Young Chevalier, 5.35 Sobraon

Wincanton

1.45 King Eider, 2.20 Saint Esteben, 2.55 Spring Pursuit, 3.30 Trouble Ahead, 4.05 Badger Beer, 4.40 Storm Prince, 5.15 Emanate.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Towcester.

Updated: 12:04 Wednesday, March 10, 2004