All quiet on the western front
It's all a bit underwhelming today and not many are inspired to put up selections, Victor Value sums things up and I have his post to members for you below.
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This went to VV members at 8 this morning and in fairness to them I've delayed by a couple of hours to make sure they can get any prices
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Hi all,
It’s Haydock at Carlisle this weekend. We also have a couple of juvenile conditions races at Beverley.
It always amazes me when pundits wax lyrical about the Hilary Needler Trophy (2:15) and the Beverley Two-Year-Old Trophy (2:48). Yes, there’s decent prize money on offer, but if recent history is any guide, these races are very unlikely to produce a top-class juvenile.
So, there’s not much to write home about this weekend.
The three ITV races from Beverley are the two juvenile contests and a Class 4 handicap (1:45) that has attracted just six runners.
Thankfully we have Carlisle which is ITV Racing’s feature meeting. Not many would have had that on their 2026 Flat racing bingo card. The card was due to be run at Haydock before last Saturday’s hole saga forced the track to abandon racing for the time being.
As I mentioned in yesterday’s Daily Punt column, it’s good to see Carlisle stepping in. I’ve only been once, but I quite like the track. That said, there’s no way it should be staging Britain’s feature Saturday card.
While Britain and Ireland are short on quality this weekend, France has the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly on Sunday.
All in all, it looks a good weekend to clear out the loft. Normally, I would avoid jobs like that, but this Saturday’s racing won’t stop me.
Carlisle
1:30 – Handicap (Class 2) – 1m3f
Opportunity, returning from an 11-month break, was set plenty to do when a 2½-length third of 14 at Ascot 21 days ago. He’s on a workable mark on just his second handicap start and may simply outclass these rivals.
Rogue Millions is interesting on his first start for Ed Bethell. The trainer does well with this type and the 4yo won the Cumberland Plate over C&D last summer for his previous yard. Any rain would help given that success came on soft ground.
Castle Stuart shaped as though he needed further when sixth at York (1m2½f) 15 days ago. A strong pace will suit, and he has each-way claims, although he may find the favourite too well treated.
2:00 – Sprint Handicap (Class 3) – 6f
Realign was never involved on his seasonal return at Newmarket last month. Prior to that he had looked a smart sprint handicapper when winning at Haydock last September. The first-time cheekpieces go on and he remains open to better.
Brosay ran respectably at Newbury two weeks ago. Stall 1 could prove ideal and the booking of Tom Marquand catches the eye.
Jordan Electrics should appreciate the return to 6f. The 10yo is not the force of old, but he’s now 8lb below his last winning mark and is handicapped to be competitive.
Wild Clary returned to form with a neck second at Ripon. He has been nudged up 1lb and does find one too good more often than not, but the ability is there when all the cards fall right.
2:33 – Betway Achilles Stakes (Listed Race) – 5f
Redorange was a comfortable winner of a Windsor handicap last time and is suited by both the trip and quick ground. He could make a successful step into Listed company.
Starlust won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar in 2024 and finished a close fourth in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last June. On form he’s the one to beat, although this may simply be a prep run for Ascot.
Azure Angel improved to win a Listed race at Bath last time and must carry a 3lb penalty here. She has a bit to find on official ratings but arrives in form and her yard has a strong recent record in the race.
3:10 – Betway Lester Piggott Fillies' Stakes (Group 3) – 1m3f
Estrange won this race at Haydock last year before finishing runner-up in both the Yorkshire Oaks and the Champions Day Fillies & Mares Stakes. She sets the standard and if ready to roll on her seasonal return will be difficult to beat.
Waardah remains capable of better as a 4yo, although this trip looks on the sharp side on her seasonal debut
3:45 – Betway Silver Bowl Handicap – 1m
This Heritage Handicap was due to be run at Haydock last Saturday. I could almost copy and paste last week’s preview as my shortlist remains the same albeit were on a different track.
Blue Courvoisier looked well treated when runner-up on handicap debut two starts back at Newmarket. He failed to build on that at Ascot last time but remains capable of better. The forecast strong pace is a slight concern given he’ll likely be up with the pace, but he looks fairly treated.
At the prices, I prefer him to stablemate Langstone, who clearly has potential on handicap debut but looks short enough now at 11/4.
Princling looked very well suited by quick ground when winning at Wetherby on his return. Drying conditions are a plus and this son of Kingman is high on the shortlist on handicap debut.
Laureate Crown is up 5lb for his Esher Cup success at Sandown but remains progressive and should go well if the ground is on the quick side of good.
Beverley
I skipped the first two ITV races and may wish I had skipped the third as well.
2:48 – Beverley Two-Year-Old Trophy EBF Conditions Stakes – 5f
Matteo made a winning debut in a C&D novice last month. The time was good and he should improve again. The yard is doing particularly well with its juveniles this season.
Arapaho Gold overcame greenness to make a winning debut at Thirsk. He looks a big, strong sprinting type with plenty more to come.
Big Cigar knew his job when scoring at Newcastle 11 days ago. He may not have the same scope as the pair above, but the yard has won this race twice since 2019.
Clash Of Hearts shaped with promise when third in a strong looking novice over 6f at York on debut at the Dante Festival. Stall 8 isn’t deal, but he’s open to further progress.
Chester
3:30 – Virgin Bet Handicap (Class 2) – 7f
Ian Williams has a strong hand with Supido and The Angel King.
Supido won a handicap here ( (7½f)) off a 4lb lower mark 24 days ago. He’s nicely drawn in stall 3 and looks set to follow up if in the same form as last time.
The Angel King finished a 2½ length sixth behind his stablemate last time, but that was only his second run for the yard, and he looks well handicapped on last year’s French form. Stall 13 makes life tougher, but I like his chance otherwise.
Palmer Bay won a similar C&D handicap last August and cannot be ruled out despite a 12lb higher mark. He clearly enjoys the track.
Miami Matrix, a dual course winner for his previous yard, shaped with promise on stable and seasonal debut over C&D last month. Stall 6 looks fine and he’s one for the shortlist.
Brighton Boy was well behind Supido here two starts ago but bounced back with a win at Thirsk 14 days ago. A 3lb rise is offset by Warren Fentiman’s claim and he’s another to consider
Betting Advice:
Carlisle
1:30 – Castle Stuart: £5 each way – 8/1 – William Hill
2:00 – Wild Clary: £10 win – 13/2 – William Hill & Coral
3:45 – Blue Courvoisier: £5 each way – 14/1 – William Hill (paying 4 places)
I ended up not putting one up at Beverley. I almost went with Big Cigar in the 2-year-old Trophy (2:48) and then decided not to due to stall 7.
Chester
3:30 – I think Miami Matrix can go well but I’m not as strong on his chance as The Angel King. However, the latter was drawn out in the car park and call me shocked but he’s now a non-runner.
Miami Matrix: £5 win – 7/1 – William Hill & Bet365
All the best,
John
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Darren Power
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