Chris Dixon's top tips for Monday: Head straight for Skewiff at 10-1

With Fontwell abandoned and a blank day in Ireland following an excellent weekend at Leopardstown there’s just two meetings to look at on Monday with jumping at Carlisle and an all-weather card at Wolverhampton.

Several in-form horses including a couple of improving sorts in Mymilan and Ballybreen make this a competitive race for the grade but there could be some value in siding with Gatacre Street.

A winner at Newcastle on his chase debut in November, he then ran well despite finding a drop in trip against him at Uttoxeter before finishing third in what looked a deep enough race for the grade last time.

Stamina is certainly his forte and the times of both of his 3m runs over fences suggest he’s on a fair mark and there’s a chance he progresses for the application of cheek pieces for a yard going well.

Penny Mallow has a double penalty to carry following an unbeaten start to her hurdles career and that may tip the balance in favour of Lily’s Gem.

She turned in a rare below par effort at Ayr last time but that may have been a result of a quick turnaround after a big effort behind the improving Opposites Attract at Down Royal.

A subsequent four-week break could well have freshened her up and with her best form, including a close second over a trip shorter than ideal here in November, gives her every chance in receipt of 12lbs from her main rival.

Skewiff doesn’t always convince with her jumping over fences but Carlisle’s obstacles are less of a test than most tracks and that should assist her here.

Well-treated off a mark of 112, she arrives on the back of a good effort over hurdles at Chepstow, is well suited by small fields and the stable form is a big plus.

Windsor Cross has gained all three career victories when sporting headgear and he returned to form with cheekpieces reapplied for the first time since April when third at Lingfield last time.

His previous fourth at Chelmsford had also been encouraging and with the Lingfield form subsequently boosted by both the winner and second scoring next time he has strong claims today with headgear retained.