/ Editor / 26 June 2007 /

Kevin Ryan's Zennerman looks to have good prospects of getting off the mark for the season when he contests the historic Carling Carlisle Bell Handicap (15:30).

The four-year-old has only a modest win to runs ratio but his form is clearly better when the mud is flying and it's long odds-on that the going will be very testing at the Cumbria circuit.

In two starts so far this term the gelding has suggested that he would be coming to hand shortly and his most recent effort when running on well at Newmarket behind Grizedale suggests that he is set to strike. As he is normally held up, there is every chance that he will trade at tasty odds in-play and backers could turn a healthy profit as he seems certain to come with a late effort when his stamina kicks in up the Carlisle hill.

A number of this field have shown a marked preference for a sound surface so there should be plenty of layers prepared to take on the likes of in-form Daaweitza, Kasumi (disappointing on soft ground on all career starts) and Regent's Secret, all of whom appear up against it on testing ground.

Logsdail makes the long journey north from Gary Moore's south coast yard and, although rarely raced on soft ground, on the occasions he has tried his hand on the surface he has shaped well. There could conceivably be market interest in this long distance traveller and he should attract attention in the place market at least.

Rubenstar's one and only effort on this surface saw him finish a respectable sixth in a decent Ascot handicap and his chance has to be respected with Darryll Holland on board. Mark Tompkins' charge is another who likes to be settled at the rear of his field and would be well worth in-play backers keeping a close eye on.

Blacktoft comes form a yard (Stuart Williams)that loves nothing more than to hit the bookies for six and any market interest in their representative would be worthy of close consideration, even though Blacktoft has yet to tackle really testing ground.

Godolphin horse poses questions for Salisbury punters

Salisbury's Doccombe European Bibury Cup Handicap (15:10) has attracted a field of progressive performers with Godolphin's top weight Moon Quest setting punters a real puzzle having won well at Windsor on his one and only appearance.

There was much to like about the way the son of Rainbow Quest readily disposed of the opposition and, with the runner-up and third having both won their subsequent starts, the form certainly appears to stand up. And the combination of a handicap mark of 87, a first attempt on rain-softened ground and a step up in trip, may give some layers hope of getting a result, and early market signals could well indicate the level of confidence emanating from the Bin Suroor camp.

If the ground becomes really testing then Intiquilla's proven stamina and liking for the surface could be significant. The Galileo filly won over course and distance before impressing when staying on strongly to account for her rivals in soft ground at Leicester last time out. She tends to get outpaced in her races before picking up so could offer a chance to alert in-play backers to get on at a decent price.

John Dunlop's pair of Eglevski and Latanzul could both put up a good show having shown a liking for easy ground. The latter made all to win a Newmarket maiden by five lengths when last seen and looks to have been saved especially for rain-softened conditions. Early trading should indicate whether or not he is the better fancied of Dunlop's pair.

Richard Hannon won the race 12 months ago with 20/1 chance Oh Glory Be and relies on Oakley Heffert this time around. He appeared to put up an improved effort when just run out of it over this trip at Windsor last month and has to be respected, but the handicapper may just have his measure and he might well be opposed by layers in the win market.

Hi Calypso has been raised 8lbs for his Newbury defeat of Coyote Creek and may struggle to follow up, but Luca Cumani's Mad Rush is still relatively unexposed and should know more than when narrowly beaten at Leicester last time. It would be no surprise to see the American bred colt attracting good support and he may well be worth supporting earlier, rather than later on in trading.

Apex past the point of no return?

Martin Hill has done a fantastic job of revitalising Apex, a five time winner already this term (disqualified once), but he will do well to be up to overcoming an 11lb rise in the weights and may be strongly opposed by layers in Salisbury's Noel Cannon Memorial trophy Handicap (16:10).

Jamie Spencer takes over from Hadden Frost on the six-year-old gelding, who was originally successful for Ed Dunlop before badly losing the plot during his four and five-year-old career. It is asking a lot to see Apex adding another handicap success to his tally against better class opposition and he may even struggle to make the frame.

Apply Dapply will find this a much more suitable task than the Group 3 race she contested at Epsom and the more rain the better for this confirmed mudlark who could well be strongly supported if the ground becomes really testing.

Pentecost looks the lay of the day having never been happy on easy ground and, despite a sound effort when 11th in the Royal Hunt Cup last week, the combination of top weight and unsuitable conditions will have layers queuing up to take him on.

With only seven runners, place betting is restricted to the first two, but Ordnance Row may still be a solid play in that market being another who can act on the ground and who comes into the race in fair form having run a close third at Goodwood earlier in the month. He tends to race prominently, so those looking at him in the win market are unlikely to find him on offer at better prices in-play than pre race.

Unless there is any noticeable market support for her, Gaelic Princess is hard to imagine figuring in the finish as her best form is when her hooves are rattling, whilst Prime Number looked a shadow of his former self last time out and is very difficult to recommend and looks one for layers to consider, even at big odds.

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