15:00 Ripon
Monday 14 August 2017
All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30
Follow riponraces On Twitter Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 1m 6f | Good (Good to Soft in places) | 7 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 3m 2.42s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Looked a doubtful stayer on his sole attempt at further than 1m4f so far, and all his best form is over shorter, and top weight looks a tall order in a race with some proven performers in staying handicaps.
Clearly enjoyed the step up to this trip at Sandown last time when getting his head in front, and is raised 3lb by the handicapper. That looks lenient considering he is likely to improve over this distance, and he looks to be a leading contender.
Races over further than 1m4f for the first time since May 2013. Looked like he probably stayed when running well in bumpers very early in his career, and is not discounted on the basis of his recent form.
Not at his best recently, having yet to fire for this trainer, but is at least proven over this trip and would be right there if somehow able to return to his best form.
Yet to convince that he stays given the way he has weakened out of his three starts over 1m4f; difficult to recommend until his stamina is proven.
Not beaten far on his two most recent starts, both of them coming over this trip. The first of those was certainly a stronger contest than this, and he should still be able to defy his current handicap mark.
Has mostly been running solid races recently and has previous won at this course, but has looked most effective over further than this and is left with something to prove now dropping back in trip.
Forecasts
West Drive (11/8), On Fire (7/2), Chancery (9/2), Renfrew Street (7/1), Stormin Tom (8/1), Gaelic Tiger (14/1), Highland Castle (150/1)
Having gotten the job done in good style when stepping up to this trip for the first time at Sandown last time, WEST DRIVE is taken to get his head in front again. He really seemed to relish the trip on that occasion and with a 3lb rise looking on the lenient side, he can make it back-to-back wins on ground that should suit him perfectly. Chancery tries a trip this far for the first time in over four years but could be worth chancing now as an older horse, while Highland Castle would go very close if able to show something like his best form.
- West Drive
- Chancery
- Highland Castle
Prize Money
1st: £5,175.002nd: £1,540.003rd: £770.004th: £385.00
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