dwelt, behind until kept on final 2f, never nearer
went right start, always behind
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
always towards rear
held up behind, headway 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and outpaced when hung right 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden and outpaced when hung right 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
always towards rear
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never on terms
held up behind, driven 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, kept on
chased leader, outpaced when hung right over 1f out, soon weakened
The oldest race in the calendar can go the way of Top Dirham, who gets the verdict over Riley Boys, Tough Love, Sake and Vicious Warrior to name but a few. The time-honoured Carlisle Bell, first run in 1599, has attracted a decent field of handicappers, with our tentative vote going to Top Dirham. Mick Easterby is a past-master at getting one ready for such a race, and in fact did just that three years ago when the selection gained a narrow victory under today's pilot Dale Gibson off a mark of 72. Since then he has finished eighth and sixth in the last two runnings, and lines up again this year on the back of a fair fourth to Imperial Echo at York. That first outing since April will have sharpened him up, and with a good draw in stall 16, he should go well off his current rating of 78. Riley Boys won over 10 furlongs at Beverley last time, but was a place behind Top Dirham in this last year and should just about be held on today's terms. Tough Love pays his first visit to Carlisle and carries a 5lb penalty for a recent return-to-form success at Thirsk, while Sake is another sampling the delights of the Cumbrian course for the first time, and lines up in a bit of form but with more to do. Vicious Warrior can take a keen hold but did make all to win at Ayr in May and is worth a mention at least, but in a tricky renewal, we take Top Dirham to land the spoils for a second time.
Vicious Warrior 10-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, ridden and weakened 1f out, 8th of 9, 9l behind Grey Boy (8-5) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Wigwam Willie (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one pace over 1f out, 4th of 12, 7l behind Ryan's Future (8-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Top Dirham 8-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Imperial Echo (9-1) at York 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Riley Boys (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Towards rear, not much room 2f out, edged right and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Augustine (9-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Hula Ballew 7-1 (8-6) Led, ridden 2f out, headed final furlong, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 6l behind Tagula Sunrise (9-2) at Ayr 7f fll hcp (2) gd.
Tough Love 9-1 (9-8) Held up, headway on inner over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Thirsk 7f hcap (5) gf beating Serieux (9-8) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Regent's Secret (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Go Solo (9-1) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Sake (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, driven to lead over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, won at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Blue Empire (8-8) by 1l, 14 ran.
