Bell To Toll For Chichester
It is the biggest day of the year at Carlisle and Chichester could be the one to grab the headlines in the Stablemate By AGMA Carlisle Bell Handicap.
First contested in 1559, the mile event always draws a competitive field and this year is no exception, with Keith Dalgleish’s charge taken to hold sway.
Formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Chichester changed hands for 30,000 guineas at the end of last year having previously been bought for 300,00 guineas as a foal.
While he was no star for Stoute, the four-year-old did place twice in five starts for the Newmarket team, but following a winter gelding operation and wind surgery, he wasted no time getting off the mark for new connections at Newcastle in April.
Placed in two of his four subsequent outings - including the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar - Chichester appears to be thriving in his new surroundings and after moving up to 10 furlongs, it is intriguing that Dalgleish returns to a mile here.
However, Chichester’s only victory to date was over that distance so the decision makes sense and off an unchanged mark of 85, he should be competitive.
Ravens Ark can make the long trip north pay dividends in the Cumberland Plate Handicap.
Hughie Morrison’s charge has been seen to good effect so far this term, finishing fifth on his return before stepping up on that to win at Brighton next time out.
After showing plenty of progression in 2020, Ravens Ark looked to be back to almost his best in winning by three-quarters of a length after staying on nicely in the final of 12 furlongs.
Raised 4lb for that effort, Ravens Ark rolled on to Goodwood where he left his challenge a bit too late, finishing with real purpose to grab third in the dying strides, despite edging right a bit.
His current mark of 74 is still a bit below his career-high of 80 last term and seems a workable perch.
Thunder Beauty takes another drop in class to contest the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Eternal Stakes.
She looked a filly of real potential for Ken Condon last term, winning a Curragh maiden first time out before finishing a creditable fifth, beaten just over three lengths, when upped to Group One level in the Moyglare.