Keith Dalgleish is looking to repeat his success at Carlisle next week.

The Scotland-based trainer, who tasted victory in Britain’s most historic horse race in 2016, scooped a glorious double last June, lifting both the Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate trophies with his horses Edgar Balthazar and Sindarban.

And with Carlisle’s biggest day of flat racing days away, the trainer is eyeing up likely contenders who can beat the field again.

The roots of the Carlisle Bell can be traced back to the reign of Elizabeth I and it’s acknowledged as the world’s oldest sporting trophy.

Its sister race, the Cumberland Plate, dates back to the 18th century. The races, and the listed Eternal Stakes, provide the main attractions for a bumper day at the Cumbrian track.

The Bell is classed as Carlisle’s very own Derby, with top trainers and jockeys eager to add their names to the legion who’ve triumphed to win the two ancient bells presented to the winner.

Dalgleish knows he’ll have his work cut out to repeat last year’s double.

He said: “Those two races worked out perfectly and it was a great day.

“Both Edgar Balthazar and Sindarban are top ground runners. The races went off at a good pace and they finished off well.

“It was always the plan last year to have those two in those two races. Carlisle’s a track we like going to and we get a lot of luck at it.”

That double had particular significance for Dalgleish, who before turning to training was stable jockey for Mark Johnston, who achieved his own Bell and Plate double with Rainbow Rain and Just Grand in 1997.

Dalgleish, who has saddled 30 winners this flat season, says he has yet to finalise his plans for this year, though Edgar Balthazar is likely to go for the Bell again and Cape of Glory is one of several horses Dalgleish has in mind for the Plate.

He said: “It’s a stiff track and we’ll see how the ground is looking before we make a final decision. It would be great to get success again, you just never know.”

Dalgleish, who tasted success at Carlisle on Monday, has increased his number of winners annually since starting training in 2011.

He hopes to continue that trajectory this year but cracking the 100 winners mark may have to wait another year.

He added: “We have some nice two year olds that have yet to come out, so at the end of August into September, we’ll have a first look at them.”

Preparations for this year’s running of the Bell and Plate are almost complete.

Carlisle racecourse general manager Geraldine McKay said: “We’re all set for an excellent day and look forward to welcoming the many thousands of regular racegoers and those who make it a special day out for these historic races.

“The course is looking in fantastic shape.”