Ripon Races Supports Racing Welfare Handicap

Won a 1m4f Pontefract (good to firm) maiden auction for Lucy Wadham last year and ran well back over that C&D from today's mark on his reappearance/stable debut last month. Same mark today and steps up significantly in trip. Pedigree suggests stamina could be an issue, but trainer has a good record with stayers so he is interesting.

Proven over this far when scoring at Thirsk (good) in July from this mark. Anchored by the handicapper since then, but now gets his chance to show that he retains that ability. Acts on any ground and has to be taken seriously.

Most recent win was in this race last year under today's rider from 1lb lower (good) and was not disgraced next time over the same trip at Musselburgh in a stronger contest, from 6lb higher. Has failed to sparkle since, but likely to do much better again now back for this. Acts on any ground with good in the description.

Thorough stayer who underlined that by winning over 2m1f at Pontefract in September from 2lb higher. That was on good to firm, but he has also won on good to soft and, like his stablemate, he comes here with his best chance since that last success after a couple of sighters this term.

Yet to win over this far, but has been runner-up three times over it including over C&D last season when beaten 1L from 3lb lower in a stronger contest. At her best on good or slower ground and should be much more competitive than on her two previous runs this season.

Very versatile regarding ground, having won on firm right through to heavy and proved himself over this trip when scoring at Chepstow two starts ago from 4lb lower. Remained competitive last time at Goodwood and is 1lb lower than that here, so entitled to go very close.

Four of his five career wins have been at around this trip, although he has never produced his best in three visits to this venue. Nonetheless he has been in decent form this spring with a Redcar win to his name (2m, good), though well held from this mark last time and has a few things to prove.

Sole success was on soft ground over this trip at Chepstow a couple of years ago and she remains 4lb higher here. Not easy to fancy on recent evidence.