Ian Ogg’s Sunday Best Bets at Carlisle: Breeze of Wind, Donnacha, and Aragon Castle
Ian Ogg has the Sunday best bets with his Nap in action at Carlisle.
Another competitive contest on a good Carlisle card can go the way of the progressive BREEZE OF WIND.
The Coltherds’ charge is on something of a roll, winning four of his last five starts and finishing second to Montgomery (a winner twice since so it’s fair to say he bumped into one) on the other. A 4lb rise for his Hexham heroics is more than fair, he’s won over C&D and on heavy ground and ticks all the boxes.
Spirits Boy didn’t frank the form of DONNACHA’s second here last time but there was a long delay to that competitive Newbury contest (the runners returned from the start to the parade ring) and not every runner may have given their running as a result.
Either way, Donnacha has built up a consistent book of form, often shaping as though this sort of trip may well be down his ally as he’s looked vulnerable to rivals with a sharper turn of foot over the minimum. He doesn’t have any secrets from the handicapper but is on a competitive mark – and one from which he won off in January – and is capable of picking up another success at this level.
ARAGON CASTLE had the rare distinction of twice returning a beaten favourite in races won by stablemates last season in his last three starts and it’s fair to say that he didn’t live up to expectations; as a result, possibly, he returns to action as a gelding.
That operation may well help to bring about further improvement while the form of his stable is an obvious plus. Aragon Castle also ran well on the two occasions he encountered soft which offers hope that he’ll act on the forecast heavy ground. The form of his Epsom win isn’t all that but he did show promise in his subsequent defeats and is bred to appreciate this sort of test.
With a mix of experienced runners and up-and-coming talents, Sunday’s races promise to be exciting and full of surprises. Stay tuned for the latest updates and results from Carlisle, Exeter, and Bath.