Maddy Playle's play of the day at Carlisle

Maddy Playle Play of the day

Galland Lion
3.05 Carlisle
2pt win

Gallant Lion shot up 20lb in the ratings last year but that hasn't looked like the ceiling of his abilities in three runs since joining Alan King and he rates a strong fancy in the 1m3f Cumberland Plate (3.05) at Carlisle.

His stable debut over 1m2f at Newbury in April resulted in a pleasing third, which saw him sent off favourite for a contest over course and distance the following month.

He made smooth headway from the rear before he was denied a clear run around a furlong out, but he stayed on eyecatchingly in a race where the top four all held relatively prominent positions throughout. It was an effort worth upgrading.

Sadly, he did not get the chance to atone for that at Sandown last time when he was subject to an even less charmed run up the inside rail when repeatedly blocked under William Buick.

It would seem unlikely that Gallant Lion wouldn't have beaten the second, Born Ruler, on those terms if the race was rerun, yet he is now 1lb better off for the extremely unlucky length-and-a-quarter defeat.

The quality of those races is far superior to the ones the favourite Sea The Thunder has been contesting – and has yet to win – and Gallant Lion ought to benefit from the presence of pacesetters Asgard's Captain and Ayr Poet, an extra furlong and stall 11, which means Buick should have space to operate this time.