Hi all,
After a couple of days off I’m back for a competitive looking card at Carlisle for Carlisle Bell Day at the Cumbrian track.
The Carlisle Bell first run in 1599 is the oldest sporting trophy in the world. The highlights of a seven race card which gets underway at 1:20 include the Carlisle Bell (2:55), the Cumberland Plate (3:25) and the Listed Eternal Stakes (3:55).
Carlisle
2:55 – Carlisle Bell Handicap (Class 4) – 1m
A competitive looking renewal of this historic race. Makeen won here last time over 7f. He stays a mile so the return to today’s trip won’t be a problem. He’s ground versatile and the 5-year-old has only had seven starts on turf and although he has an 8lb rise in the weights to contend with he won with plenty in hand last time and is going the right way.
David O’Meara has a couple of contenders in Pisanello & Arranmore. Pisanello a close 3rd of 15 in the Thirsk Hunt Cup bounced back to form when dropped back into this class when a 2 ½ length 2nd of 13 at York 11-days ago. Looks sure to give another good account although stall 13 might not be ideal. Arranmore hasn’t been at his best on either start this season, but he shaped a little better at Beverley last time. His form figures over C&D are 112 and he goes well on a sound surface. Ryan Sexton takes off a useful 5lb and he’s down to a good mark, but he’s drawn widest of all though which is a concern.
Cassy O, a useful handicapper winning twice last season. He bounced back to form when ¾ length 2nd of 6 over C&D two starts back and then went one better when making all at Redcar just 5-days ago. Needs to force the pace and will face competition for the lead here. Has a 5lb penalty to carry here but given his present form he’s got to be considered seriously.
1pt win – Makeen – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:25 – Cumberland Plate Handicap (Class 4) – 1m 3f
Trainer Gemma Tutty has a well fancied runner in Tangled the Carlisle Bell consolation race (2:25) and she could be set for a big day as she also has a big contender here with Strawman. The 5-year-old has done well since joining the yard last year winning four of his seven starts. The latest of those successes came when coming from off the pace to beat seven rivals at Redcar 20-days ago. He’s been nudged up 3lb for that win, but the form of the race is really working out with the runner-up going in twice since, and the third and fourth have both gone onto win and remains one to beat. Two of his career wins have come here and although he’s yet to win beyond 1m 2f I think he will stay on quick ground. He’s high on the shortlist.
Hugo Palmer & Ben Curtis are operating at 26%-win strike rate this year and they combine with Commonsensical. A winner at Chepstow on his seasonal return he went close off 5lb higher when a neck 2nd of 4 at Ripon 6-days ago. Steps up to 1m 4f for the first time and his not a guaranteed to stay. That said he’s in form and should give another good account.
El Picador bounced back two winning ways at Musselburgh last time. He should go well again but is 5lb higher and this looks a better race. Emaraty Hero was 1 ½ lengths behind him at Musselburgh. He gets a 5lb pull in the weights so is entitled to reverse placings with the winner but the 1f drop drop n trip might not suit given he stays 2m.
Croeso Cymraeg needs a very strong gallop to chase which he got when winning at Ripon (good to firm) at 7-days ago. He’s got a 4lb penalty to carry for that success, but he should get the race run to suit today and he was a ½ length 2nd of 13 in last year’s race, off 1lb lower’ Looks set for another big run on ground that suits.
Shake A Leg comes into the race seeking the hat trick after wins at Doncaster and Ripon. He’s jockey has been able to dictate the pace for both those successes which doesn’t seem likely here. Jockey Graham Lee who won on the 5-year-old two starts back is back in the saddle.
Graham Lee rode Detective to finish second here last time and that one can’t be discounted here given his course record. He’s 4 from 10 at Carlisle and hasn’t been out of the first on all his runs here. The latest of his wins came two starts back over a mile! Whilst he was running here over 1m 6f last time. The cheekpieces he wore at the end of last season return for the first time and the drop back to 1m 3f looks a plus. Kevin Stott who rode the 6-year-old to win at Hamilton on his seasonal return is back in the saddle and a big run should be forthcoming.
1pt win – Strawman – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Croeso Cymraeg – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:55 – British Stallion Studs EBF Eternal Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies) – 7f
Twelve fillies go in search of Black Type in this Listed contest. Oscula is 5lb clear of the field on official ratings and looks a worthy enough favourite. The George Boughey trained 3-year-old was back to form on her return from a 3-month break when a length 2nd of 7 to Ever Given in a Listed race at Epsom 19-days ago.
Next in on official ratings is Snooze N You Lose. The Karl Burke trained filly won a Listed race at Musselburgh but she does have to give 3lb to all but one of her rivals. She’s stays 7f well and should give her running once but seems unlikely to her own way out in front this time. Clitheroe was 2 ¼ length behind Snooze N You Lose at Musselburgh. She didn’t get the run of the race compared to the winner, having to be dropped in from a wide draw and didn’t get the best of runs 2f out. Today’s stronger pace will suit Clitheroe better and with the 3lb she gets can get closer.
Atomic Lady probably needed her seasonal reappearance when a 6 ¾ length 9th of 19 to Harry Three in a valuable handicap at York 9-days ago. First go at 7f but is bred to stay and her yard is going well.
Miss Carol Anne hasn’t been seen since finishing a 4 length 7th of 12 to Wild Beauty in Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury in April. She’s open to further improvement with racing and this looks a more suitable opportunity.
Amirat Alward has 21lb to find with Oscula on official ratings, but the Irish raider comes into the race on the back of an improved performance when winning a Listowel handicap 18-days ago. The quicker ground suited her last time, and I wouldn’t be totally surprised if she got into the money at big odds.
1pt win – Clitheroe – 11/2 @ Bet365
Cheers
John