Only five go to post for today’s 12f 3-y-old handicap at Ripon but it is a fascinating contest with the quintet all holding realistic claims.
Barn Owl was taken out of a race at the Shergar Cup at Ascot at the weekend on account of the good to soft ground and conditions were similarly described for the north Yorkshire track on Sunday morning although a dry day is forecast for Monday.
Chalk Stream was allowed to dictate the gallop at York last time and made all under an inspired ride by David Probert who has been in such tremendous form in recent weeks. It would be no surprise to see Tom Marquand adopt similar tactics this afternoon, but I think he may struggle to give 12lbs to Carrigillihy (6.55) who looked an unlucky loser when constantly denied a run at Thirsk last week. He passed the post with plenty left in the tank and I feel he can return to winning ways for David Allan and Tim Easterby.
There was 9/2 freely available on Sunday afternoon which was the wrong price and the recommendation is into 11/4 with MansionBet at the time of posting on Sunday evening.
The Mile handicap for 3-y-olds is in honour of the late northern trainer David Chapman and Blu Boy (7.25) is taken to land his fourth win in his last six starts for Ed Bethell. Regular pilot PJ McDonald is required at Wolverhampton, so Rowan Scott takes over in the saddle. Note the gelding – 2s with William Hill – has never won on soft ground but he has run well on good to soft in defeat.
The sole ride of PJ McDonald at Wolverhampton is aboard Ghost Rider (1.35) and the 3-y-old can return to winning ways reverting to an all-weather surface. The selection has never won on turf but has an excellent record on the all-weather including a success at Newcastle on tapeta back in February albeit over 7f.
The 3-y-old ran as well as he has ever done on turf when fourth at Newmarket last time and the handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds for that run. I hope the return to tapeta is the key. The 7s with William Hill on Sunday was too big and the 4s at the time of posting with 10Bet looks fair.
Godolphin’s Pulcheria (6.05) is bred to need a trip, but she pulled too hard and failed to get home over 7f at Ascot last time and looks sure to appreciate stepping down in trip at Windsor this evening. The C&D winner Daiquiri Francais is the obvious danger, but she carries a 7lbs penalty and a market move for Roger Charlton’s newcomer Becoming would be worth noting. The recommendations is 2s with Boylesports.
Lady Reset (7.05) won her first race in eight attempts over timber at Stratford last time and is taken to follow up back on the level as long as the ground is no worse than good to soft in the 10f handicap. Laura Pearson was in the saddle when the mare finished second at Sandown on her penultimate start off this mark and, if the ground is no worse than good to soft, she can land the 10f handicap. The 11/2 with BetVictor is a fair ew shout.
Yankee Stadium is handicapped to win at present, but he needs fast ground to be seen at his best. He still represents a big danger.
