Sunday 18th May

RIPON 4.40 - Handicap - Class 6 - 1 mile - 11 run - Good to Firm

 

At the top of the market we have the unexposed Spring Festival for David O'Meara who showed some first signs of finding a level it could win from last time and the more exposed but solid COPPER AND FIVE for Ruth Carr who is upped 2 lbs for a win last time but who is still very well handicapped and suited by Good to Firm ground. A reverse F/Cast may not be a bad side bet but of the pair a win saver on COPPER AND FIVE is the suggestion.

 

Of the remainder, Mr Jetman should be very competitive off this mark but may be one best fresh and the most recent run was disappointing, Panama City and Annalee Lass are AW regulars whose Turf form on Good to Firm is not great although Annalee Lass has a turf win on soft.

 

The real each way value in this race though may be CURIOUS MRS FOX who will benefit from a recent run and whose early season form last season on this Good to Firm Going bodes well. (Northern)

 

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NEWMARKET 4.45 - Handicap - Class 4 - 7 furlongs - 13 run

 

A good competitive extended Sprint and many of them have some sort of form chance.

 

Kit Gabriel is perfectly capable of outrunning nice double figure Odds, Be Frank is one I definitely think will be winning races, and if not today, when he might need the run , definitely soon, so I have added him to the TRACKER.  Izzari, who won a class 5 last time and Yaaser who had a win and a decent run at York just 2 days ago, would warrant favouritism if reappearing here. Lord Rapscallion who has found a new lease of life on the AW of late and who won this race in 2023 and Ash Wednesday, who has 2 x har-tricks following wins of 6 of the last 7 AW races it has rin in and who arrives on a 4 timer is an obvious danger, if less proven on turf and Flag Of St George another fine AW exponent.

 

Clearly a race with a lot of depth, but a couple of more proven turf performers catch my eye at nice e/w prices.

 

WAITING ALL NIGHT drops from Class 3 into Class 4 and from a mile to 7 furlongs and a recent run suggests that this could unlock undoubted ability and potential and I'll be very disappointed if this one doesn't place at the very least. MUDAMER was also quite highly tried last season with occasion runs in Class 3 and one in Class 2, this is the right level though and a sequence of solid runs and a nice seasonal debut opener suggests that off a declining mark of 77, a win that is overdue but nonetheless very well deserved might be coming soon. (RJ)

 

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TRACKER

 

Ripon 2.10 Canaria Queen (Tim Easterby runner who ran as if turn is imminent last time out.)