15:25 Ripon

Thursday 19 April 2018

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:4518:15

Visit ripon-races.co.uk Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 15:27 | Winning time: 1m 18.68s

(5)

Havana Star¹⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 72

3/1

Scored on debut (5f, good to firm) at Beverley and proved that he handles soft ground when runner-up on his handicap debut (6f) at Hamilton in August. Out of sorts (inc. on heavy) after that but taken seriously again now fresh and dropped 2lb.

Form: 133200-

(7)

Biddy Brady^h¹⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 70| D

4/1

Made gradual improvements last season on the way to a deserved success at Catterick (6f, soft) in October from a 2lb lower mark. Stable's runners tend to need their first outing but a market check is very much advised in case confidence is high.

Form: 523215-

(1)

Fiery Breath^t⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: M Harley| T: R Eddery| OR: 69| BF

8/1

Stepped up on juvenile form on his first start after a wind op, scoring at Lingfield (7f, AW) in January on his handicap debut from 4lb lower. Below that level last time. Drops in trip here though pedigree suggests conditions are more of a concern.

Form: 459-17

(6)

Tember¹⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 67

7/2

Showed some promise at a modest level last season, though his better runs were on fast ground and both times that he was tried on good to soft he was not quite as effective. Handicap mark is fair if he can produce his best, but some doubt over that.

Form: 26308-

(2)

Moonlit Sands²⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 65WS

22/1

Had wind surgery after a below par final effort last season, having shown a bit of promise before that. Has both fitness and ability to handle the forecast conditions to prove but not badly treated if she can tick those boxes.

Form: 55340-

(10)

Mischievous Rock⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: M Appleby| OR: 65

22/1

Her best effort by some margin so far was her second start at Chelmsford (6f, AW) in December. Well below that level on all three of her other runs. Makes turf debut today and encouraging that both sire/dam won on soft ground. Market check.

Form: 647-7

(9)

Sir Derrick²¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J P Sullivan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 60

12/1

Has not shown a huge amount in three runs so far but should be capable of building on that with another winter under his belt and now going handicapping. Still has that to prove, however and best watched on this occasion.

Form: 606-

(3)

Eva Docc¹⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 59

16/1

Best run as a juvenile came on debut at Hamilton (5f, good) though she failed to get close to that level in three other turf runs, all of which had cut in the ground. Well held when last seen in November but on a handy mark and worth a market check.

Form: 28376-

(4)

Spanish Mane¹³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 57

7/1

Has looked moderate in three runs over 5f/6f so far but likely to prove more interesting now going handicapping. Initial mark not out of the question and another for whom a market check looks prudent.

Form: 866-

(8)

Rickyroadboy⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: A Mullen| T: M Walford| OR: 49

25/1

Handicap debutante who has been well held in all four starts so far and is 2lb 'wrong' going into this. That is enough to suggest a watching brief for the time being.

Form: 00-64

Forecasts

Havana Star (3/1), Tember (7/2), Biddy Brady (4/1), Spanish Mane (7/1), Fiery Breath (8/1), Sir Derrick (12/1), Eva Docc (16/1), Mischievous Rock (22/1), Moonlit Sands (22/1), Rickyroadboy (25/1)

With the Kevin Ryan runners in decent form and a win when fresh last year HAVANA STAR gets the vote to repeat the dose here. A 2lb drop won't harm after he lost his way a little towards the end of last season, but he does handle cut in the ground and is suggested. Moonlit Sands is an interesting runner, as are both Mischievous Rock, Spanish Mane and Eva Docc.