Carlisle, Salisbury and Worcester (N.H.)

Carlisle stages its most important fixture of the year this afternoon, featuring the historic Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate, two of the oldest races in the calendar. Although they are now just class 4 handicaps, they are still quite valuable and there are 17 runners in each. The former, at 16.05 CET, goes over a mile and top-weight Major Phil (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon) is likely to start favourite after winning at Doncaster last time.

However he has little in hand of German-bred Raptor (Mark Rimmer/ Nicky Mackay), who was listed class when with Mario Hofer in younger days. Sir George (Ollie Pears/ Barry McHugh) and Mount Hadley (Gerard Butler/ Tom Queally) also have chances. There could also be a victory for an ex-German horse in the race over 1 1/2 miles at 16.35, as Agapanthus (Barney Curley/ Tom Queally), having showed nothing for two years after his acquisition from Schlenderhan, has struck form with a vengeance this year and won both his starts in good style (landing a tremendous gamble first time). Last-time-out winners Proud Times (Alan Swinbank/ Peter Mcdonald), Some Sunny Day (Hughie Morrison/ Robert Winston) and Sir Royal (Swinbank/ Neil Callan) are the main dangers.

Another historic race is the Bibury Cup, run this afternoon at 16.50 at Salisbury. Although there are only 7 runners in this 1 1/2 mile handicap for 3yo´s, it is still a tricky race as all 7 have winning form this season. Top-weight Mataaleb (Michael Jarvis/ Tagdh O´Shea) is a smart performer, but it could be significant that Tajaarub (Barry and Richard Hills) is running in Sheikh Hamdan´s first colours. Comedy Act (Sir Mark Prescott/ Seb Sanders) is a big threat. The Hills family could also be on the mark with Huzzah (Barry and Michael) in the mile handicap here at 16.15, who probably has the 3yo´s Avon River (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) and Karaka Jack (Mark Johnston/ Jean-Pierre Guillambert) to beat.

There is also jumping at Worcester, where the best race is the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 17.00. The Jigsaw Man (Rebecca Curtis/ Aodhagan Conlon) is smart, but has a huge weight and is trying this distance for the first time, so we prefer Jonjo O´Neill´s two runners, recent CD winner Two Miles West (Tony McCoy) - who probably has the best pedigree in N.H. racing - and Tarvini (Richard McLernon).