Despite having recently stepped in to host Haydock’s Silver Bowl and Lester Piggott Stakes, Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate Day is traditionally the biggest race day in Cumbria.
As we are deep into football’s World Cup at the moment, it’s pertinent to point out that the world’s oldest sporting trophy is in fact, the Carlisle Bell. It may be on a Wednesday afternoon, but this is a fantastic race meeting and one I’m getting stuck right into. My Cumberland Plate and Carlisle Bell tips are now live.
Wednesday Horse Racing Tips: Best Bets for Carlisle Bell Day
| Race | Horse | Odds | Bookie |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:02 (Eternal Stakes) | Albaydaa | 10/3 | William Hill |
| 4:35 (Carlisle Bell) | Lexington Jet (each-way) | 25/1 | William Hill |
| 5:05 (Cumberland Plate) | Wine Dark Sea | 2/1 | William Hill |
Odds correct at 13:15 BST on 23/06/26. Odds subject to change.
This should be quite an intense hour. The biggest races are run one after the other, and I’m playing in all three courtesy of William Hill, one of the best horse racing bookmakers. I’ve got a more in-depth preview of these races coming up.
The summer racing roadshow just keeps rolling on. After Carlisle, Newcastle becomes the focus for Northumberland Plate weekend. I’ll have information from there, as well as from York and Newmarket as we charge into the weekend.
EXPIRING:
31/12/2026
Albaydaa (4:02 – Eternal Stakes)
This is labelled as Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate Day, but this Eternal Stakes is actually the most valuable and high-class event on the card, run at Listed level for the three-year-old fillies.
Any trip at Carlisle takes some getting, but we have some nice, fast, summer ground this week. The stalls are placed on the inside on Wednesday, and on the seven-furlong track, it’s not long before you’re on the turn.
That means those drawn wide could be at a disadvantage in terms of getting into position early, though the ground does fall away a bit in the straight, and we shouldn’t see any trouble in running late on. There is some pace in stall eight, but otherwise it’s coming from the inside in two, three, and four.
Albaydaa, trained by William Haggas for Shadwell, ran well on her seasonal reappearance, with those around her subsequently going for races at Royal Ascot. Last time, she won a handicap over this course and distance, clever prep if it was deliberate, when she only just did enough at odds-on to win. I do get the impression she was never in top gear under Tom Marquand that day, though.
Albaydaa has a perfect position in stall five, right next to the pace but not jammed on the rail, and she can stalk and come late with a rattle.
Why I’m Backing Albaydaa
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Represents top connections – owner, trainer, and jockey
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Has won over this course and distance already
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Looks ready for the step up to Listed company
Lexington Jet – Each-Way (4:35 – Carlisle Bell)
It’s not often that a class 4 race is worth £30,000, but then again, it’s not often that a £30,000 race gets so much attention. Carlisle, and this race, deserve it. It’s sweltering at the moment and, thankfully for the Cumbrian track’s big day, Carlisle is one of few meetings to even survive on Wednesday.
The heat is on then, and at the time of writing, we’re going 11/2 the field in the Carlisle Bell, so this truly is a hot betting race. Having noticed that William Hill are offering extra places, it opened up a big each-way opportunity. 12 or more runners means four places here with Hills, and 16 or more means we get a massive five places at 1/5 odds. 17 runners have been declared.
That focused my brain on the outsiders, and I couldn’t help but think that Lexington Jet is overpriced. Four times a winner already this season for trainer David Loughnane, he has done well on the all-weather, but went to a new level when winning over seven furlongs at Chester on the turf at the end of May. Yes, this is a different test, but he still looks handicapped well enough to be competitive.
With that in mind, backing him at 1/5 odds each way means that even if we can get him into the first five, then we’re effectively getting odds of 5/1 for that. Taking out the win stake, that’s the equivalent of landing a 4/1 winner, and I’d take that all day long. Him actually winning at 25/1 would be a great bonus.
Why I’m Backing Lexington Jet
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Took his turf form to a new level recently at Chester
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Is hugely overpriced as an each-way shout with five places
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Won four times this year and may not be done yet
Wine Dark Sea (5:05 – Cumberland Plate)
This race is run at the same class and for the same prize money as the Bell, though this time over a mile and three furlongs. The stalls are on the outside for this one, but I don’t see it making a lot of difference.
There’s little wrong with the form of Alpine Sierra, Gaelic Approach, and Dunkeld Dreamer here. Really though, I get Wine Dark Sea miles clear on my ratings and that’s who I’ve backed.
Harry Charlton brings this 4yo son of Ulysees up from Wiltshire, and I don’t think it’ll be a wasted trip. He’s been held back since he saw out the stiff finish at Ascot really well to win a valuable handicap over a mile and a half just over six weeks ago, and so he’s had plenty of time to recover and improve. He should be way ahead of his handicap mark.
Why I’m Backing Wine Dark Sea
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Lightly raced and well handicapped
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Harry Charlton’s only runner travelling 285 miles
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Proven on fast ground, on stiff tracks, and at middle distances
Recent Winners up to 25/1
It’s been a good June for the racing pages. Via my horse racing betting previews, as well as the regular Saturday horse racing tips page, I’ve backed these winners:
| Date | Winner | Advised | SP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20/06/26 | Almeraq | 22/1 | 25/1 |
| 20/06/26 | Square Necker | SP | 4/1 |
| 20/06/26 | Sea Cookie | SP | 7/2 |
| 19/06/26 | Opportunity | 5/1 | 6/1 |
| 17/06/26 | Blue Bolt | 11/4 | 5/2 |
| 17/06/26 | Ombudsman | 11/8 | 11/10 |
| 17/06/26 | Alobayyah | 7/2 | 11/4 |
| 06/06/26 | Shipbourne | SP | 6/5 |
| 05/06/26 | Sallaal | 9/2 | 5/2 |
There’s plenty more to come. It’s the Northumberland Plate this weekend at Newcastle, with other top betting opportunities coming from York and Newmarket. After that, I’ll be betting in the upcoming Coral-Eclipse, the July Festival, Glorious Goodwood, the Ebor Festival, and many more top events.
Make sure you check out our top horse racing bookmaker offers, and don’t miss out on the best deals when backing any of the horses on this page.
