Carlisle - Wednesday 23rd June

 

A tough 1 mile handicap with 16 declared and a few to consider closely.

 

At the top end of the market and at the prices I'm not really convinced that either Billhilly or Chichester are really good value, one who is may be the very consistent Garden Oasis but it's not particularly well handicapped now for all it's consistent form and collateral form lines with several of these.

 

GET KNOTTED caught my eye and has won over Course and Distance but having been raced over a mile early in its career it has become more of a 7 furlong specialist and although it could be running in to some form and is well handicapped I have a hunch it may prefer a flatter and less demanding Track. 

 

Howzer Black may struggle off this mark and with this weight and Lion Tower, who won first 2 races this season may just be more adept on an artificial surface. If it had seen more recent Course action I would have fancied a nibble on ULSHAW BRIDGE and that may be one to track forwards in similar contests after this run.

 

The pair I fancy against the field though are HAYADH who has been running in higher grade Class 2 and 3 Contests of late with some merit. It actually won the last twice it ran in Class 4 contests off marks of 84 and 87 and arrives here running off an appealing mark of 85 with an excellent 3lbs Claimer on board. Strictly on the form book it has an excellent chance. It's drawn high, which is my only real niggle but then again so is STAR SHIELD who is very consistent off this mark of around 83. Looks to be just coming in to peak fitness and form though and David O'Meara will have had any number of options for this race and may have trained to the day in terms of peak fitness.

 

 

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A step up to 1 mile and 3 furlongs in this one and with a couple having only run yesterday and another a few days before it's quite possible the field could cut up with a few non runners.

 

At the head of the market the in-form Ravens Ark, COLONY QUEEN, Tricorn and Croeso Cymraeg look solid and dangerous and of those I see COLONY QUEEN as my clear top rated and a TIP on that basis.

 

A few are intriguing, none more so than the 3 year old Astronomic Choice a very unexposed 3 year old.

 

A pair get fresh aids and have enough form to suggest they may benefit from them, I just prefer SAMEEN who gets Cheekpieces and who is a Listed winner off a nice mark for the Tim Easterby / David Allen combo over ARABLIST who gets a tongue tie and for whom Ian Williams has still to unlock some potential the horse showed for John Gosden. It won't be long before this one is winning.

 

I'll definitely play SAMEEN and if the race doesn't cut up too much will have a small interest and Tricast Perm with Arablist.

 

TIP - COLONY QUEEN / Tracker Sameen (see notes re Arablist N/R)