Cartmel-based trainer James Moffatt, who was crowned top trainer at his local course in 2015, is gearing up for a successful defence of his title ahead of the opening meeting of the year on Saturday, May 28.

“For someone who was born and bred in Cartmel and went to school here, it was always an ambition to do well at my home course," said Moffatt.

“I was fortunate enough to be top jockey at Cartmel in 1993 when I shared the title with Richard Guest, so it was brilliant to win the Andrea Robinson Memorial Trophy as top trainer last year."

The trainer will be going to war with many of his tried and trusted stars from last season together with a fair sprinkling of newcomers including recent purchase Think Ahead, who was bought out of the Godolphin string at Doncaster on Thursday, May 19.

Set to carry the colours of long-standing owner Varlian Vyner-Brooks, Think Ahead has run only 10 races, but is a three-time winner with more than £107,000 in prize money and a rating of 105 on the Flat.

“I have high hopes for him, but he is going to take a bit of time and may not be seen at Cartmel until August and the last meeting of the year," he added.