DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY JUNE 24
4.35 CARLISLE
A typically wide-open running of the Carlile Bell and PRIAPOS looks one of the most plausible candidates when drawing up a shortlist of the likeliest winners.
Philip Makin’s gelding had been heading in the right direction prior to his victory over today’s C&D last time out and although he faces sterner opposition on his return visit, the fact he has become acquainted with the track will hopefully count for plenty.
Strong in the backend of the contest 25 days ago, he also came from a good way back at Ayr previously when posting a career high speed figure in a well run affair and from what appears a favourable draw (stall 4), he can fashion a challenge from a solid starting point in the field.
PRIAPOS – ½ point each-way@10-1 (five places)
6.40 NAAS
Joseph O’Brien enjoyed a stellar week on the biggest stage of all at Royal Ascot and his excellent run looks like showing no sign of abating with REBEL MOON, a strong fancy to land this listed prize on just her second career start.
Sent off 8-1 on her debut at Gowran back in April, the daughter of Lope De Vega was the slowest into stride and, as a result, was residing in the cheap seats coming down the hill into the home straight.
However, from that juncture she really began to engage in what was required and with a relentless run down the outside of the field, she engulfed her rivals with a smart turn of foot to eventually score going away.
To highlight the impact of her performance, not only was her overall speed figure decent for a race of its kind, her closing 3f split of 36.2 was two seconds quicker than the next best on the card and her finishing speed percentage of 112.08 was the other metric that stood out.
Moreover, the further she travelled the better she looked and with a cadence of 2.13 strides-per-second to back up that visual aspect, the step up in trip to the extended 1m2f should prove ideal.
Since that effort two months ago, the form has been very well endorsed by stable mate, Johanna Walsh, going on to run a stormer in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, but the overriding feeling is this scopey filly could easily be much better and she makes loads of appeal at the odds to back up that view.
REBEL MOON – 2-points win@4-1