Carlisle - Thursday 27th August 2026
SANAFI ZABEEL justified strong market support to score at Hamilton earlier in the month and a 4lb rise doesn't seem likely to stop Jim Goldie's gelding from backing that performance up. Epidavros was fourth in the aforementioned contest and is capable of being in the mix, while the extra furlong might yield improvement from Up The Jazz judged on his recent efforts.
There didn't appear to be any fluke about Prosperity Angel's success at Thirsk after stepping forward from a promising first run at Catterick. However, she faces several interesting newcomers, with the vote going to BENBECULA. A half-brother to the yard's Ain't Nobody, who won the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and was runner-up in the 2025 Nunthorpe, his price tag increased from 82,000gns as a foal to 240,000gns when selling at Tattersalls Book 1 and it would be no surprise to see him make a winning debut. Mehmas Star and Sarasota Blue Blue are others who command respect, especially the latter if the market speaks in her favour.
Emerald Bay may have found an 8lb rise too much when seeking a hat-trick at Newmarket but he is entitled to be in the mix, with a change of headgear to blinkers potentially aiding his cause. Bincimbal won on his nursery debut at Epsom and enters calculations off a 2lb higher mark, but the claims of KANZI are hard to ignore. The daughter of Ghaiyyath built on her debut second at Ayr when going one better at Lingfield and an opening mark of 79 may prove to be on the lenient side.
ROGUE ATTRACTION may well have finished closer than seventh at Glorious Goodwood, but she was denied a clear run at a crucial time. That was still a decent effort in the circumstances and she is only 3lb higher than for her C&D success the time before. Town Queen got off the mark at the fourth time of asking at Southwell in June and has to be of interest on her handicap debut, while similar comments apply to Tip Foster.
Crafty Spirit might have finished closer than he did when bidding for a hat-trick at Beverley had he not suffered some interference, and he is respected from an unchanged mark. Without Flaw regained the winning thread at Catterick but she's not known for her consistency, whereas HARRY MOLE has been able to string a number of creditable efforts together and looks sure to break his maiden tag sooner rather than later.
RIDDIKULUS has been successful on two of her last four appearances and found only a progressive rival too strong at Ripon latest. A further 2lb rise shouldn't prevent another big run and she is preferred to Hansteen, who was only narrowly beaten by the selection at the North Yorkshire venue early last month. Dr Rio doesn't do anything quickly nowadays, but Declan Carroll's veteran should appreciate a return to further having kept on into third over 10 furlongs at Beverley.
Falaise Blanc was reeled in late on at Hamilton and is expected to go close again, but the vote goes to previous C&D winner IDYLLIC. Wilf Storey's mare bounced back to form with a creditable third at Ayr earlier this month and she should be more than capable of going a couple of places better, especially because this extra furlong will suit. Hey Havana has been expensive to follow this term, but a considerable step up in trip might unlock some improvement.
This is quite competitive and let's side with the mare EPIDAVROS, who has plenty of good course form to her name, being a former scorer who also ran well here in June, and is now 1lb below her last winning mark. Sanafi Zabeel, a winner at Hamilton, still looks competitively weighted and should be thereabouts, making him the danger, while Spirit Catcher is another to consider despite the drop in trip not being certain to suit.
Prosperity Angel is the only previous winner in the line-up and she ought to go well despite a penalty, but there are some with potential against her, including MEHMAS STAR, who has drawn a handy stall in three and represents a yard that has a fine record here with juveniles. Benbecula, related to the smart sprinter Ain't Nobody, makes plenty of appeal on debut also but stall 11 might not be ideal. He should still be good enough to play a part on debut.
Kanzi looks a promising filly, improving upped to 8f to get off the mark at Lingfield last time, and she should have more to offer now handicapping, while Bincimbal hit the line well to get off the mark on his handicap debut at Epsom last time, appreciating the more patient ride. He has more to offer also, but it's TEN CLARETS who is the selection. Karl Burke's top weight has been gelded since his last outing, when running just okay on his handicap debut at Doncaster, and has a bigger effort in him yet with his yard having a fine record at the course with juveniles.
There's almost certainly more to come from TOWN QUEEN, winner of a Southwell novice when last seen in June. It's the former of her previous Chester second that stands out best, with the winner since going on to land a good York handicap, and she's almost certainly better than an opening mark of 75 while her yard does well with its runners here. Top weight Rogue Attraction is a solid alternative, having won over C&D two starts back and since run well in defeat at Glorious Goodwood. Tip Foster, like the selection making his handicap debut, is dropping in trip having won a 7f maiden at Thirsk and looks a likely improver.
The mare Without Flaw returned to her best when winning at Catterick last time and a 4lb rise looks manageable, but CRAFTY SPIRIT appeals more. Although failing in his bid for a hat-trick, he didn't get the breaks at Beverley and could get his head back in front here from the same mark. Bibendum needs considering also with him a winner three starts back. Things haven't quite gone to plan since.
This looks between Riddikulus and HANSTEEN, old rivals who finished first and second at Ripon in July. The selection was just defeated on that occasion but gets a 6lb pull now and is fancied to reverse form. Riddikulus is a reliable and progressive filly also and looks the one most likely to trouble her once more. Dr Rio is a capable veteran, albeit one who is better at Beverley. He's still respected.
Annandale wasn't seen to best effect last time but was earlier in good form and could bounce back, while Falaise Blanc is coming off a good run at Hamilton and should again go well from what is a fair mark. The choice, though, is top weight IDYLLIC, a former C&D winner who returned to form when third at Ayr last time. She's below her last winning mark and just earns the vote.
Whilst studying the form, we have a dedicated horse racing free bets page where you can find offers on all today's racing, as well as offers to use for races on our Ante-Post Prices page, which has markets available for upcoming major meetings as well as the Grand National 2026, Royal Ascot 2026 and Cheltenham Festival 2026.
