THERE'LL be no need for slow-motion action replays at Carlisle today as the rain-sodden ground will ensure very little happens in a hurry come the leg-buckling uphill final furlong.

The testing conditions tend to favour previous winners at the Cumbrian course. They form a small and exclusive club in which Charming Admiral (2.20) is a fully paid-up member.

Ann Duffield's past track and trip scorer faces the starter for the Tony Brunskill Associates Handicap Chase, having warmed up for the £5,000 contest with a promising third placing at Wetherby late last month.

The near veteran 11-year-old has actually been called some unprintable names in years gone by due to his occasional refusal to scrap in the heat of battle. But there's been no hint of any errant behaviour this season and Charming Admiral's overall profile fits neatly into the strengths required to capture the 2-mile event.

Len Lungo's runners are always to be feared and the presence of Carapuce (1.45), who is seeking a third win from his last four outings in the opening Be My Valentine Novices Hurdle, will for certain have the local bookmakers running for cover.

After the abolition of betting tax even long odds-on shots regularly attract the attention of the heavy-hitters in the ring, and there's bound to be a bevy of four-figure sums wagered on the progressive five-year-old.

Of course, getting stuck into short-priced favourites doesn't always pay dividends - just ask the supporters of Grattan Lodge (3.30), a mid-race casualty at Newcastle last week when backed as if defeat was out of the question.

Reappearing so soon following that catastrophe, Howard Johnson's grey is clearly none the worse for the untimely mishap, and provided he is a little less clumsy in the £8,000 three-mile Rockcliffe Novices Chase, the money is as good as his.

Ludlow stage the most valuable race of the day for the £10,000 Attwood Memorial Trophy, fancied to end up on Royal Beluga's (3.15) mantelpiece.

Royal Beluga is only a wee slip of a racehorse, but by golly can he jump when faced with a four-foot-six-inch high steeplechase fence. Royal Beluga also possesses a high cruising speed and a useful change of gear when asked for maximum throttle.

For the nap selection we pay a rare visit to Lingfield, where High Point (3.40), back over his optimum two-mile trip, bids for a money-spinning sixth track triumph.

* Well-backed Martell Cognac Grand National contender Be My Manager is set to have his final start before Aintree when he lines up at Kempton Park on Friday, writes TATTENHAM.

The Martin Todhunter-trained nine-year-old has been something of a revelation since joining the Cumbria-based handler at the sales last May.

Always well regarded when trained by Henrietta Knight, having been bought at the same time as Best Mate, Be My Manager lost his way after winning his first two races over fences in Britain.

But it was the gelding's final start for Knight which caught Todhunter's eye and encouraged him to pay 54,000 guineas at the sales on behalf of owner Brian Murfin.

''He ran in the Topham and he caught my eye staying on at the finish,'' said Todhunter. ''He had been talked up the handicap and never really had the chance with Henrietta. As a result, he probably lost his way a bit.

''But - for want of a better phrase - he had come from the best hotel around when he came to us and he was in really good shape.

''The handicapper has hardly been fair to us with him, either. Having finally been dropped down a few pounds he's won two small races and he's gone up 19lb to 134.

''He went up 6lb for sitting in his box after horses like Hunters Tweed franked the form of his last win.

''But he has got into the National at the sort of weight we were expecting and after Kempton, that will be his next race.

"The Grand National has been his target since the day we bought him.

''Hopefully he will get some decent ground at Kempton and run a good race."

Bookmakers are already well aware of Be My Manager's plans, having seen considerable support for Todhunter's charge in recent days.