HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL WITH VERSE OF LOVE

By Ashley Iveson, PA

A rare trip to Carlisle for Charlie Appleby and William Buick can pay dividends, with Verse Of Love fancied to strike gold in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Eternal Stakes.

Appleby has saddled only three previous runners at the Cumbrian circuit, with one emerging triumphant, while Buick has a 50 per cent strike-rate with two winners from four rides.

The fact the dual champion jockey makes the long trip north for a solitary ride on the biggest day of the Carlisle's Flat season is a tip in itself and Verse Of Love clearly has strong credentials.

The Siyouni filly created a huge impression on her juvenile debut at Newmarket, and while she was a disappointing favourite for the Nell Gwyn on her return to the Rowley Mile in the spring, she got the show back on the road with a comfortable success at Yarmouth last month.

With Appleby having resisted the temptation to throw Verse Of Love in at the deep end, she tests the water at Listed level at Carlisle and must have every chance.

The lightly-raced Rogue Millions gets the vote in the Stablemate By AGMA Cumberland Plate. James Owen's charge was third behind two horses rated in the 90s on his debut at Southwell and again on his second start at Nottingham. It was therefore no great surprise to see him make it third time lucky at Chepstow in late May and he now enters the handicap sphere off a perch of 87. Rogue Millions lacks the experience of many of his rivals, but is therefore less exposed and there is plenty of scope for improvement.

The feature event on the card is the AGMA 20 Years Of Franklin Ownership Carlisle Bell, which may go the way of the Karl Burke-trained Liamarty Dreams. The six-year-old was rated as high as 92 at one stage last season, but a disappointing end to 2024 and start to 2025 has seen his mark drop to 81. However, he ran his best race in a long time when second at Leicester last time, suggesting a return to form may be imminent.

Salisbury punters should put their faith in Victorious One in the Dragon Symbol Standing At Whitsbury Manor British EBF Blagrave Maiden Stakes. Trained locally by Ralph Beckett, the youngster ran a race brimming with promise on his Goodwood introduction, finishing a clear second to the impressive Jel Pepper despite running green. With that experience under his belt, he should go one better provided he handles this quicker surface.

Montpellier looks well placed to complete his hat-trick for James Ferguson in the Havana Grey Standing At Whitsbury Manor Handicap. The son of Wootton Bassett won as he liked on his Thirsk debut in April and followed up under a penalty at Newbury the following month, beating two subsequent winners in Sea Force and Abundance into second and third place respectively. Moving into handicap company under Tom Marquand, he can continue to thrive.

Bring It On has looked a winner in waiting on his two starts to date and can come good in the British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes at Bath, while Saeed bin Suroor's Dubai Beach is expected to make it three wins in quick succession in the Try Unibet's New Smartview Racecards Handicap at Kempton.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

WORCESTER: Race 1: 15.03 Neigh Botha, Race 2: 15.33 Calvic, Race 3: 16.03 This Sway, Race 4: 16.33 Katana, Race 5: 17.03 Seymourjohn, Race 6: 17.33 Brindley, Race 7: 18.05 Robber's Bridge.

CARLISLE: Race 1: 15.15 Come On Over, Race 2: 15.45 Reciprocated, Race 3: 16.15 Light Speed, Race 4: 16.45 VERSE OF LOVE (NAP), Race 5: 17.15 Rogue Millions, Race 6: 17.50 Liamarty Dreams, Race 7: 18.25 Magna Grecia Star.

SALISBURY: Race 1: 15.25 Victorious One, Race 2: 15.55 Blind Beggar, Race 3: 16.25 Wojtek, Race 4: 16.55 Montpellier, Race 5: 17.25 Only One Blue, Race 6: 17.58 Patsy Snugfit, Race 7: 18.35 Soul Dance.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.30 Amber Honey, Race 2: 19.00 Sychell, Race 3: 19.30 Magnatura, Race 4: 20.00 Captain Fox, Race 5: 20.30 Dubai Beach, Race 6: 21.00 Exactly Right, Race 7: 21.30 Don Simon, Race 8: 22.00 Letmebetheboss.

BATH: Race 1: 19.20 Cider Bob, Race 2: 19.50 Bring It On, Race 3: 20.20 Thank The Lord, Race 4: 20.50 Rebel Cove, Race 5: 21.20 Love Is The Law, Race 6: 21.50 Blue Hero.

ALL TO COME: Verse Of Love (Carlisle, Race 4) and Dubai Beach (Kempton, Race 5).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za