TRAINER William Kinsey is facing a tricky decision at Cartmel this weekend as he weighs up the options for his talented course specialist Allbarnone.

In three visits to the South Cumbrian course, the nine-year-old boasts a record of one win and two seconds – all of them over hurdles.

But he has been novice chasing so far this year, and a switch to the Cartmel fences may be on the cards.

“He is entered in three races at Cartmel,” said Cheshire handler Kinsey. “On Saturday, he is in the English Lakes Ice Cream Handicap Hurdle, which he won last year, and on Monday I have him in the Oakmere Homes Handicap Hurdle and the Totepool Handicap Chase.

“Right now, I am not sure which one he will go for. He is rated 11lbs higher over hurdles than this time last year, but he ran well at Cartmel off a similar rating last July, so I would be very optimistic should he go for one of the hurdle races.

“He has yet to win over fences, but has shown an aptitude for chasing and so that remains an option as well.

“I shall be giving it some thought over the next few days, but the one certainty is he will be running in one of them.”

Cartmel’s nine-day season opens with the Whit weekend triple-header on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. The first race on Saturday is the Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding Novices Hurdle, at 2.15pm.