19:40 Ripon

Friday 12 May 2017

All18:0018:3019:0519:4020:1520:45

SIS Celebrating 30 Years In Horseracing Handicap

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 2m 2.01s

(5)

Swift Emperor⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P Makin| T: T D Barron| OR: 92

3/1

Won three of his first four races at 7f-1m and on good/fast ground. Ran well over 1m here in a better race than this a year ago, though has made an impact just once from three attempts at around this trip. Pedigree suggests that it should suit, though he looks to have a tough enough task shouldering top weight from this career-high mark.

Form: 066-414

(3)

Lincoln Rocks¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89

9/2

Well placed to win 4-13 so far, the last three at around 1m. Was a 9L second over C&D in August, her only previous try over this trip. Faster ground should help her get home and there is also some hope in her pedigree that she will see it out now she is a year older, so from the same mark as a decent reappearance run she could go very close.

Form: 21315-2

(7)

Rainbow Rebel²⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 88

9/2

Had largely been competitive in defeat before breaking his duck on his eighth start at Carlisle in August (1m, good to firm), that setting the ball rolling on a four-timer, which included success at around this trip at Chester. Goes on any ground, but held from marks of 86 and 89 on his last three starts, so needs to find a bit more.

Form: 111226-

(6)

Imshivalla^h¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86

20/1

All ground comes alike to this likeable mare who showed almost continuous improvement from 2013 until last summer, winning eight times. The last of those was in a class two event over this trip at Epsom in June, from 2lb higher and she went close again when back on that mark at Ayr in September. Drops in class here and will be tough to beat.

Form: 340-995

(4)

Hail Clodius^h1⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 85

8/1

Sole success was in a Newmarket maiden when with Richard Hannon. Couldn't win a handicap for that yard, despite going close from a mark of 85 at Sandown and just held from 2lb lower at Doncaster (1m2½f) last time. This is stronger and the first-time hood will need to elicit improvement if he is to win his first handicap.

Form: 32-4052

(1)

Sands Chorus¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: P Mulrennan| T: J G Given| OR: 79

9/2

Put up a career-best when scoring from this mark (1m½f) at Wolverhampton in January. Was competitive in defeat at Pontefract when returned to turf last time and stable really has hit form in recent days, so a bold showing from his inside draw would not surprise and he did go very well on his only previous run in this grade over 1m1f here last year.

Form: 417742

(2)

Dance King^p,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79

9/2

Won this race last year from 6lb higher (good) and under a hold-up ride in a race that was marginally weaker than today. Stays 1m4f, although four of his five wins have been at around this trip. Never threatened on his return over C&D under a claimer, which induced a 2lb here and the return of David Allan (on board for three of his wins). Very interesting.

Form: 56960-9

Forecasts

Swift Emperor (3/1), Sands Chorus (9/2), Dance King (9/2), Lincoln Rocks (9/2), Rainbow Rebel (9/2), Hail Clodius (8/1), Imshivalla (20/1)

Another competitive heat to enjoy and last year's winner Dance King may well come right back to form from his 6lb lower mark. That came under a hold-up ride, though there are plenty of races on the round course here that suit runners on the front end andwith that in mind we will side with IMSHIVALLA, who likes to race prominently, drops in class this and is on a good mark. Sands Chorus should get very competitive, while Lincoln Rocks is unexposed over the trip and is not ruled out.