Ripon 5.05

 

This Course does not suit every horse and with rain about the Going could get quite testing.

 

I'm far from convinced about Baltimore Boy in the likely conditions, Imperial Sands and Spirit Catcher have it to prove at Ripon, Garden Oasis is a 4 time Course and Distance winner so nothing to prove here but all the best form is on Good or Good to Firm so it may be vulnerable. I fear Innse Gall who I've tipped before and I think it has a race in it off this mark but the drop in trip is a bit baffling and I've never seen this track as ideal for a hold up horse, but feared nonetheless. Young Fire is possibly at a ceiling now in terms of the handicap mark and for that reason left out.

 

I will have a couple of shrapnel bets on a pair who look "silly early prices" and they are ANOTHER BATT who looks very well handicapped based on a Course and Distance run in April and who will love any rain and COPPER AND FIVE a Course and Distance winner off a low mark and a low draw who can drop in a win in turn and who looks over-priced with rain about.

 

My main picks though are HORTZADOR who is 3 for 5 over Course and Distance but who prefers Soft going and frankly has no excuses on all known form here and the other Tim Easterby runner GOLDEN MELODY who has a big chance off any mark below 70 anywhere with some decent Course form and unlike stablemate Garden Oasis will actually welcome the rain.