18:15 Ripon

Thursday 19 April 2018

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

Go Racing In Yorkshire Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 18:17 | Winning time: 1m 4.46s

(14)

Something Lucky^v²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Kevin Lundie⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 80| D

10/1

Has been in super form on AW surfaces lately, winning two of his last three. Looked to have a bit more in hand at Wolverhampton last time, so a 6lb rise may not be insurmountable. Acts well with cut on turf. Claims.

Form: 222121

(3)

Imagine If⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Sanderson⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 73| D

6/1

Handled soft/heavy ground in Ireland. Lost his way a little as last season went on and slid further in the weights until winning for this trainer last time out at Southwell. Carries 6lb penalty for that but follow-up not ruled out.

Form: 408-981

(5)

Liberatum²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: G C O'Neill| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 77| D

8/1

Sole turf win was on good to soft (5f) at Windsor last August from 11lb lower. Got his nose in front again at Windsor last time in what was a career-best effort. Likely to need another to defy 4lb higher mark and slower conditions a concern.

Form: 24325-1

(6)

Jacob's Pillow^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Theodore Ladd⁽³⁾| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 77| D

9/1

Proved himself on heavy ground when scoring at Musselburgh last time (5f). Didn't have much to spare in a blanket finish there and recent form suggests that this even this 2lb rise may be tough for him to overcome.

Form: 3225-61

(7)

Eastern Racer^p³⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁶⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 77

28/1

Handles soft ground although is yet to win on anything slower than good. Has slipped to a handy mark going into this, having been off for almost a year. Handles this track, though trip may be a bit sharp for him after a lay-off.

Form: 0350/06-

(12)

Elysian Flyer²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Harrison Shaw| T: P T Midgley| OR: 75| DWS

10/1

Can go well when fresh and scored after a break at Thirsk (5f, soft) from 2lb higher last year. Returns after a wind op since last seen in September and merits consideration.

Form: 737540-

(13)

Merry Banter²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Toby Eley⁽⁵⁾| T: P T Midgley| OR: 75| CD

12/1

Scored over C&D (good) in 2016 when 5lb lower, though followed up at Hamilton from 3lb higher. Comfortably held by Liberatum at Wolverhampton last time out but that was a reasonable return and she is well in on some of last year's form.

Form: 28500-7

(10)

One Boy¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Murtagh| T: P T Midgley| OR: 74| D

40/1

Goes well on soft ground/over 5f. 4lb higher than when scoring at Beverley in September, though well held from just 1lb higher on final start last year and also on reappearance. Bit to prove on that evidence.

Form: 91710-7

(8)

Mininggold¹⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Paula Muir⁽³⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 74| C| D

25/1

Handles some cut in the ground, though arguably better on a sound/fast surface. 1lb higher today than when winning at Beverley in September, which would give her a squeak if ready first time, but conditions a bit of a concern.

Form: 313736-

(4)

Lexington Place²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 72| D

14/1

Multiple winner whose best form has all been on ground that included 'good' in the description when on turf, although has won on soft. 1lb higher than that Pontefract success today and trainer has won two of the last eight runnings of this.

Form: 41689-4

(9)

Lydiate Lady¹⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Robert Dodsworth⁽⁵⁾| T: E J Alston| OR: 70| D

22/1

Scored at Wolverhampton when last seen in November and is up 2lb for that on her reappearance. Handles some cut in the ground on turf and has run well on soft (untried on heavy). Needs to raise her game again but not ruled out.

Form: 111241-

(1)

B Fifty Two¹⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Faye McManoman⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 69| BF| DWS

10/1

Another who handles soft ground, though has won when it has been slower than good to soft. Without success since November 2015 but went close here over 6f (soft) last year. Market check prudent on return from wind op.

Form: 034024-

(11)

Granny Roz²⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽³⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 68| C

15/2

Won a maiden handicap here over 6f (soft) in July from a 6lb lower mark. Went very close from just 1lb lower on her next two runs (both 5f). Well below that (first-time blinkers, now discarded) on final start but not ruled out.

Form: 221220-

(15)

Socialites Red^p³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Gabriele Malune| T: S Dixon| OR: 68| BF| D

16/1

Arguably wants good/fast ground to produce her best but does act with cut in the ground. Was not far away from 2lb higher at Nottingham (5f, good to firm and 6f, soft) in successive runs last year and each-way claims if in that form.

Form: 1237-34

(2)

Duke Cosimo⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Sebastian Woods| T: M Herrington| OR: 68| C

10/1

Has been in decent form at his level on the All Weather in 2018 and has won twice here (on good) over 6f in the past. Not as good these days and the forecast conditions have to be of concern.

Form: 7-71253

Forecasts

Imagine If (6/1), Granny Roz (15/2), Liberatum (8/1), Jacob's Pillow (9/1), Elysian Flyer (10/1), B Fifty Two (10/1), Duke Cosimo (10/1), Something Lucky (10/1), Merry Banter (12/1), Lexington Place (14/1), Socialites Red (16/1), Lydiate Lady (22/1), Mininggold (25/1), Eastern Racer (28/1), One Boy (40/1)

A tricky contest for those wanting to 'get out'. Paul Midgley arrives mob-handed and it might be worth chancing a return to better form for his MERRY BANTER from this mark. Although held by the respected Liberatum at Wolverhampton last time, she acts well here and was beaten just ½L on her only run on heavy ground. Something Lucky has to be feared in opposition, while Imagine If is also on-song, Granny Roz is not ruled out and both Lydiate Lady and Socialites Red are also considered.