Sir Gerhard stars in stud and stable staff race and brother to festival hero bids for chase win - punting pointers for Monday

Carlisle: handicap newcomer to note

Kalium has looked every inch a smart horse for trainer Tim Vaughan, and the five-year-old sets out to complete a hat-trick in the 2m1f handicap hurdle (3.30).

A winner of his sole bumper start in Ireland, Kalium was scooped up for £100,000 in May and has shown a lot of early promise for his new owners, winning two of his three starts over hurdles.

The most recent of those included a final-fence error at Fontwell last month, but he showed enough class to still win by more than five lengths, and carries top weight on his handicap debut under Alan Johns.

"He hasn't put a foot out of place for us so far," Vaughan said. "He'd have a double penalty now so this is the time to step into handicap company and we'll find our level.

"You'd like to think he'd be well up to his mark of 121, and in time a bit better than that really. He looks a million dollars and everything he's shown us suggests he's a nice horse, so hopefully this is a very sensible starting point."

Kalium15:30 Carlisle

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Jky: Alan Johns Tnr: Tim Vaughan

Carlisle stat: McCain targets race again

Two of Donald McCain's last three runners have struck in the 2m novice handicap chase (1.50), while the other finished third. He saddles two this year in Galunggung and Barrabooka.

Galunggung13:50 Carlisle

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Jky: Brian Hughes Tnr: Donald McCain

Punchestown: Sir Gerhard the star on the card

Some of Ireland's stable and stud staff get the chance to shine on the track in this year's running of the Up The Yard Challenge Race (4.40), which has attracted some star talent.

A full field of 16 is set to go to post and it is headed by Sir Gerhard, who is now in the twilight of his career and is set to be ridden by Aimee Morrissey as he bids to return to winning ways.

The ten-year-old looked to have the world at his feet when landing the 2021 Champion Bumper and the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle a year later, but he has failed to live up to those heights with three minor wins since.

He has been well beaten in two starts this term and his rivals include King Of Kingsfield for Gordon Elliott. The trainer also has some notable reserves in tow in case there are any defections, including Grade 1-winning chaser Galvin and Troytown Chase victor Stuzzikini.

Sir Gerhard16:40 Punchestown

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Jky: Aimee Morrissey Tnr: W P Mullins

Southwell: another Warhorse to battle to victory?

Western Warhorse caused a shock in the Arkle 11 years ago and his brother West Warhorse is out to make his own chasing breakthrough in the opening 2m4½f handicap chase (1.10).

Western Warhorse famously got up to deny Champagne Fever at the Cheltenham Festival and, while his sibling is unlikely to match those exploits, he bids to get back on the winning path in the colours of Roger Brookhouse and for his son and trainer Ben.

The seven-year-old was an impressive winner over hurdles at Fakenham in December 2023 and has raced just four times since then. He has had wind surgery since his last run at Sedgefield in November, when he was beaten 23 lengths, and returns with Jack Quinlan on board again. The jockey is enjoying a fine time of things as he is operating at a 24 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight.

West Warhorse13:10 Southwell

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Jky: Jack Quinlan Tnr: B F Brookhouse

Southwell stat: jockey it pays to follow

Backing Tom Bellamy's mounts at the track this season off a £1 level-stake would have yielded a £29.90 profit. He has one ride on the card on Just Four Fame (4.20).

Just Four Fame16:20 Southwell

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Jky: Tom Bellamy Tnr: David Dennis

Wolverhampton: purchases and pedigree pointers

Some powerful colours will be on show in the opening 1m1½f novice contest (4.27) and none more so than those of Godolphin on Alpine Trail, who bids to defy his hefty price tag on debut.

The three-year-old does not have the most appealing pedigree on paper, but the powerful owners stumped up €550,000 for him at the Arqana Yearling Sale at Deauville in August 2023.

He has his first run under James Doyle for trainer Charlie Appleby, who has unleashed some top-class stars during the winter. He is also operating at a 37 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight, including winning with 2,000 Guineas hope Opera Ballo at Kempton last week.

His rivals include the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid-owned Paratrooper, who is a homebred half-brother to 2020 1,000 Guineas runner-up Cloak Of Spirits and represents Karl Burke and Clifford Lee.