TRAINER James Moffatt is hoping he can emerge from a competitive Cartmel weekend with more winners to add to his May brace.

The local handler – whose journey to the course from his stables takes but a handful of minutes – has a spread of entries across today and Sunday.

Altruism is the obvious pick in today's £20,000 feature Marston's Pedigree Handicap Hurdle, where he carries top weight as he looks for a fourth win in as many runs at the track.

The six-year-old returned to winning form in a beginners' chase at the South Lakes track last month, but reverts to hurdles – where his two previous successes at Cartmel have been – due to a lack of suitable chase options this time.

Moffatt also runs Captain Brown – victor in the Cartmel Cup last August – in the feature, and is hoping his mounts can give a good account of themselves.

“Racing is going to be very competitive, but we have got plenty of ammunition,” the Pit Farm Stables trainer said.

“I think every one of them I will run has some sort of chance on a realistic level. There are a lot of horses who have won at the course, like fantasy King and Altruism.

“Altruism is back over hurdles simply because there was no chase there for him this time. He was going to be in a novice chase at Hexham, but we thought we would go to Cartmel with him because his record is so good.

“He's an excellent horse over hurdles and he's big enough to jump a fence, so he could switch back at any time.

“He's versatile and he broke the track record last time over fences, so he's not short for speed – I'm certainly not worried about dropping him back in over hurdles.

“He's a good jumper and he's never run in a handicap before. He will be giving away the weight to lesser horses, but he should carry that.”

On Captain Brown, he added: “There was a shortage of races for him in May and we ran him over two-six. Henry Brooke rode him and said he just doesn't stay a yard over two-and-a-half. We dropping him back to two miles.

“Altruism will make the running and setting a strong gallop up front and sometimes that sets it up with the Captain Brown hat on. It will suit Captain Brown, because he needs a strong gallop over the two miles.

“It's almost two bites of the cherry for us. If you know there is going to be no gallop, then it suits the front-runner and if there is a gallop, it can benefit the horse held up off the pace.”

Elsewhere today, Frederic Chopin and Amuse Me form another two-header in the Cumbria Grand Hotel At Grange Handicap Hurdle and Mondlicht goes in the Jennings Cocker Hoop Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Moffatt added: “Freddie Chopin has done nothing wrong. He's only run twice over hurdles and he was third, then he won at Carlisle at the back end of last year.

“We gave him a prep run at Haydock and he finished third, running really well. Amuse Me will be picking up the ball for us in that race and in the meetings through the summer as well.

“Mondlicht has been dropped back in trip. It has been observes that he may be better over a shorter distance and ridden prominently. I think he would have a real good chance.”

The early declarations for Sunday feature Munsaab, Amuse Me – though unlikely to run twice in three days – previous course winners Fantasy King, Morning Royalty – a victor last month - and Smart Ruler, Maybe I Wont, Follow The Pals and stable new boy Boruma, who made his bow for Maffatt at the last meeting.

Not all will run, but Moffatt is hopeful of the chances of those who do.