17:00 Ripon

Sunday 20 May 2018

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0016:3017:00

David Nicholls Memorial Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:02 | Winning time: 57.70s

(6)

Captain Lars^b⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽⁷⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 72| D

9/2

Five AW wins this year have taken his career tally to 18. Not as effective on turf these days, but is 10lb lower, which gives him a realistic chance of yet another success.

Form: 114914

(4)

Gamesome^v⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Aaron Jones| T: P T Midgley| OR: 70| BF

7/2

Career record of 1-36 is offputting, but he did run well to be a good second of 10 at Beverley last time. Claims off the same handicap mark.

Form: 458-882

(2)

One Boy¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: P T Midgley| OR: 70| D

14/1

Stable companion of Gamesome who showed a little improvement to be fourth of nine at Hamilton on his latest start. Back to same mark as when winning at Beverley in September.

Form: 710-774

(5)

King Crimson^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Nicola Currie⁽³⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 68| D

7/1

First win for a long time when making most to score at Bath earlier this month. Up 3lb and in good heart, but faces a possible battle for the lead with Pearl Noir.

Form: 97-5421

(3)

Oriental Splendour^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 65| D

11/1

On lengthy losing sequence since his last success at Pontefract last June. Capable of going close off this mark, but needs to regain his spark.

Form: 7369-67

(1)

Big Lachie⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan⁽³⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 64| D

10/1

Successful in a Newcastle handicap in February and has been given a break since finishing seventh of eight at Chelmsford in March. Turf rating is 8lb lower than his AW mark.

Form: 0-88137

(7)

Crosse Fire^p⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Patrick Pilley| T: S Dixon| OR: 64| D

10/1

Latest of 10 career wins came on the AW at Southwell in March. Turf rating is 13lb lower, but he was well held off it at Catterick last time.

Form: 254408

(8)

Dapper Man^b⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 63| BF| D

10/1

Won at Catterick three starts ago and two subsequent runs off higher marks have been perfectly acceptable. Should be on the premises again.

Form: 325144

(10)

Pearl Noir^b⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 58| CD

7/2

Stable companion of Crosse Fire and returned to form when scoring at Thirsk last time. Frontrunner who has won this contest for the last two years and has a fine chance of making it a hat-trick.

Form: 365-041

Non-Runners

(9)

Shesthedream⁶

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: T Coyle & K Wood J: C Lee

Forecasts

Gamesome (7/2), Pearl Noir (7/2), Captain Lars (9/2), King Crimson (7/1), Shesthedream (7/1), Dapper Man (10/1), Big Lachie (10/1), Crosse Fire (10/1), Oriental Splendour (11/1), One Boy (14/1)

Stable companions Gamesome and One Boy are respected, but it is hard to get away from PEARL NOIR, the winner of this race for the last two years who is fairly handicapped and back in form after scoring at Thirsk on his latest start. Shesthedream and Dapper Man have each-way claims, while King Crimson could go close if avoiding a battle up front with the selection. Top-weight Captain Lars is not out of it, either.