Verdict

Smart Thinker will be high on a lot of shortlists given his run of recent form however a chance is taken on SHULMIN ahead of Fourpointone and Huckleberry. The nine-year-old was a Sedgefield winner back in November off a mark of 83 but hasn't been able to figure since in three runs, including one start over hurdles. Whilst he is a bit of a Sedgefield specialist, he makes a rare jaunt to Carlisle today and although his mark of 89 still looks a tad high, it would be no surprise to see him run well. Ferdy Murphy has his horses in better form now so Smart Thinker should once again figure although he has not exactly shone here in the past. Fourpointone has been rising up the handicap for a successful 2008, whilst Minster Abbi should strip fitter for a recent run in late December. Huckleberry disappointed last time but is rated much better than that Doncaster effort (AP McCoy takes the ride today) however a safer bet may be Panama At Once who was impressive last time at Newcastle and is unexposed in this sphere. A 7lb penalty may not be enough to stop him, however we'll take a gamble on Shulmin.

Formwatch

Huckleberry (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Close up, led 8th, headed 12th, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Just Smudge (12-1) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.

Panama At Once 25-1 (10-6) Led approaching 4f out, clear approaching 2f out (no winning time due to poor visibility), won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Getinbybutonlyjust (10-10) by 14l, 10 ran.

Minster Abbi 6-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, reminders 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 6, 42l behind More Likely (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 5f mrs hcp chs (3) hvy in Dec.

Fourpointone 9-1 (9-10) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 13, 15l behind Orki Des Aigles (10-6) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.

Shulmin 9-1 (10-4) Held up, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 8th of 12, 47l behind Minella Boys (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan.

Stark Raven 9-1 (10-11) Mid-division, reminders 13th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Overlady (10-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.

Nicozetto (FR) 18-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, lost place 14th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Nelliedonethat (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Jan, 12 ran.

Smart Thinker 6-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 10th, mistake 4 out, led 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Man of The Moment (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.

Hollows Mist 9-1 (10-4) Always behind, pushed along after 8th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, well behind Toy Gun (11-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.