Excellent day at Carlisle

Haydock Park's loss was Carlisle's gain with the Cumbrian venue staging their first ever Group race on Saturday. The Group 3 Lester Piggott Fillies Stakes was won in convincing fashion by the 116 rated Estrange for the second consecutive year. Kept in training as a five year old, the grey daughter of Night of Thunder finished runner-up in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks and Fillies' & Mares' at Ascot in 2026 and her connections she can gain a win at the highest level this time around. A length and a half scorer, her jockey Danny Tudhope feels she will be even better over ten furlongs with the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh (27th June) an option, while trainer David O'Meara is of the opinion a mile and a half is her best trip. She may bid for a repeat win in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock (4th July) if kept to the longer distance.

The remainder of the card was dominated by William Haggas with the Newmarket handler being responsible for a treble from his four runners. Opportunity and Realign looked a class above their opposition in the opening two contests. The Somerville Lodge handler texted me after the former's victory suggesting the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes will be his target next month, while Hamilton winner Valiancy will be aimed at the Copper Horse Stakes on the opening day of the Royal meeting (16th June). The Wokingham Handicap is likely to be on the agenda for Realign who travelled powerfully in the six furlongs handicap. Originally berthed off 8st 8lb (number 71) in the Wokingham, the four year old will incur a penalty which should hopefully ensure his place in the six furlongs cavalry charge. I spoke to James Doyle before racing and he described the ground as 'beautiful.' The Wathnan owned runner may not a rattling quick surface at Ascot.

Overall. it was an excellent day's racing at Carlisle with some competitive action - decent field sizes and some classy performances. Sadly, with it being a late change of fixture, it wasn''t well supported in terms of the attendance. If the meeting isn't in the calendar, people don't tend to turn up.

Talking of the Royal meeting, I have started work in earnest on the Royal Ascot Update, which will be emailed to clients on Sunday 14th June. The response has been tremendously and very much appreciated. If you haven't ordered the 3 Ahead On The Flat Updates, including the Royal Ascot version, please head to the Publications section of the site.