14:35 Carlisle

Monday 22 May 2023

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1016:4017:15

Blackwell Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 1m 0.51s

(8)

Nelson Gay^p³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 80| BF| D

11/2

Twelve runs since last win in 2021. 9/2, not seen to best effect when sixth of 16 in handicap at Beverley (5f, good to soft) 33 days ago, denied clear run over 1f out. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 0524-46

(7)

The Thin Blue Line⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 80| D

5/1

Latest win at Musselburgh in April. Again ran well when second of 11 in handicap at Hamilton (5f, good, 7/1) 8 days ago. Leading contender.

Form: 10-0012

(2)

Our Absent Friends^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Phil Dennis| T: T Davidson| OR: 75| D

9/1

After 5 months off, back on the up when successful at Newcastle in March. 7/2, creditable second of 5 in handicap at Ayr (6f, good to firm) 18 days ago. Can give his running again back down in trip.

Form: 7415-12

(5)

Huddle Up⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Gianluca Sanna⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 74| D

5/1

Back down in trip, not discredited when fifth of 11 in handicap at Hamilton (5f, good) 8 days ago. 7-lb claimer back on board.

Form: 1/750-25

(9)

Ramon Di Loria⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Ryan Sexton⁽³⁾| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 73| D

8/1

Failed to come on for recent run when last of 11 in handicap (14/1) at Hamilton (5f, good) 8 days ago. Needs to leave his latest effort well behind.

Form: 3023-80

(6)

Princess Karine¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Smart| OR: 70| BF| D

4/1

Placed all 3 starts this year, second of 10 in handicap (10/3) at Newcastle (5f) 13 days ago. Can be in the mix once more.

Form: 236-332

(4)

Glorious Rio^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 67| CD

5/1

Won twice at this venue last summer, including over C&D. Not discredited when sixth of 10 in handicap (9/2) at Newcastle (5f) 13 days ago. Interesting contender back here with cheekpieces reapplied.

Form: 2-35946

(3)

Mews House³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 60| D

12/1

After just 4 days off, won 8-runner handicap at Hamilton (5f, good to firm, 13/8) 3 days ago. Will need to find more to follow up under a penalty.

Form: 432521

(1)

Albegone^p²²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 63| D

25/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2022. 5/1, below form when eleventh of 12 in handicap at Musselburgh (5f, soft) on final outing that year. Off 7 months with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 737340-

Forecasts

Princess Karine (4/1), Huddle Up (5/1), The Thin Blue Line (5/1), Glorious Rio (5/1), Nelson Gay (11/2), Ramon Di Loria (8/1), Our Absent Friends (9/1), Mews House (12/1), Albegone (25/1)

THE THIN BLUE LINE arrives in good form, getting back to winning ways at Musselburgh in April before running at least as well when second at Hamilton, so he is taken to provide Keith Dalgleish with back-to-back victories in this race. Heading the list of dangers is the consistent Princess Karine, while Glorious Rio could fare better returned to this course.