Wednesday 24th June 2026
I’m taking a look at the 2.00 at Carlisle on Wednesday, and this is a Class 4 maiden which is contested over five furlongs. Karl Burke won this race last year with Lam Yai, and his filly Queen Of Christmas heads the shortlist here for me, under Clifford Lee. She didn’t quite live up to market expectations on her racecourse debut at Nottingham earlier this month; however, that was likely a hot race, with the winner, Senorita Bonita, subsequently going on to finish second in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. This two-year-old by Mehmas is highly likely to take a big step forward coming into her second start here, and she should post a very bold bid for a yard that does very well with their two-year-olds.
Geoff Olroyd’s filly In The Black makes some appeal on paper here; she’s a filly by Havana Grey, and cost 320,000gns as a yearling. She’s also related to two-year-old winners who won over sprinting distances, and with all that being taken into consideration, she’s next up on the shortlist under PJ McDonald. I’d also give Louis The Fifth a mention for Michael Bell, he’s a colt by No Nay Never, and is also related to winning sprinter Noble Vow, and the dam is also a winner at two. He could go well here on debut under Callum Rodriguez and can complete the shortlist.
