19:05 Ripon

Wednesday 30 May 2018

All18:3519:0519:4020:1020:4021:10

Eura Audit UK Handicap

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 1m 40.56s

(4)

Weellan⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 72| BF

2/1

Has proved a tough horse to follow, remaining a maiden after 11 starts, but placed on seven occasions. Gets 1m and has claims again here based on his second over 7f at Carlisle last time. Short listed.

Form: 2244-42

(13)

Gabrials Centurion⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 70

3/1

Stable has won the last three runnings of this race and this gelding is getting going just at the right time to give himself a chance of being the fourth in a row after a staying-on second at Nottingham (1m½f). Claims from same mark.

Form: 5546-2

(3)

Blue Harmony¹²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 70

25/1

Won over 7f at Newcastle (AW) in novices' company in November. Has run well in two of her three handicaps (both on AW), but was beaten from 1lb lower in one of those and so will need to improve to record a first turf success.

Form: 1633-35

(1)

Handsome Bob^b1³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 68

9/2

Best form so far has been on Wolverhampton's Tapeta surface. Can't say that he doesn't act on turf, but clearly not as good on it so far. Champion jockey gets the leg-up for the first time today after a 2lb drop and blinkers added. Interesting.

Form: 64334-9

(11)

Farhh Away⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 67

20/1

Never going on the heavy ground at Musselburgh on his reappearance. Now makes his handicap debut and marks looks fair based on his debut last year. Has it to do, but well worth a precautionary market check.

Form: 65-7

(9)

Elixsoft²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 65

16/1

Won twice over 7f on Tapeta earlier in the year, the latter from 7lb lower than today, though also went close from just 2lb lower last month over this trip. Soft ground a possible excuse last time and he can again be competitive.

Form: 113225

(10)

Mister Maestro²⁰⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 64| BF

8/1

Showed bits of promise last year over 7f. Gelded since his last start in November. Step up to 1m should be positive and it would be no surprise to see him improve now handicapping from a realistic mark.

Form: 8564-

(17)

Kenmare River^h1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 63

33/1

Didn't show much in three novices' events and it was more of the same on his handicap debut at Nottingham last time. Drops 3lb and hood now applied, but others preferred.

Form: 70-59

(12)

Puchita³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 63

28/1

Just about gets this trip, but has yet to fully convince over it. Could certainly not be ruled out on her best form having now dropped to a career-low mark, but still has that stamina box to tick.

Form: 326-396

(14)

Where's Jeff¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 61

50/1

Runner-up over 5f in a Musselburgh handicap (soft) for 4lb lower on October. Well held on reappearance over 7f, but pedigree suggests that it would not have been the trip that beat him. Bit to prove from same mark nonetheless.

Form: 668929-

(15)

Miss Wolverine²³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 60

66/1

Best effort so far was on debut at Beverley (5f, good) in August. Well below that level twice since. Initial mark looks stiff enough for handicap debut and one to watch unless market vibes particularly positive.

Form: 460-

(16)

Ryedale Encore^h1²⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 57

50/1

Comfortably held in both handicap runs so far, but a 4lb drop and the use of headgear, as well as a 3lb claimer, opens up some possibilities. Better effort not ruled out back over this longer trip.

Form: 45460-

(5)

Skito Soldier²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 54

33/1

Has been unable to return to the level of form he produced on debut at Haydock last year when with Karl Burke. Has now dropped 15lb in four starts for this trainer. Would be interesting if supported, but plenty to prove on the face of it.

Form: 77-9780

(2)

Austellus²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: F Norton| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 54

33/1

Has shown very little in three starts, all at big prices. Initial handicap mark looks plenty stiff enough on what he has produced so far.

Form: 998

Non-Runners

(6)

Dalawyna³⁷

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: K A Ryan J: A Mullen

(8)

Timssaah²⁰

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: G Peckham J: Non Runner

(7)

Ventura Crest³¹

Weight: 8-9| Age: 3

T: T D Easterby J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Weellan (2/1), Gabrials Centurion (3/1), Handsome Bob (9/2), Ventura Crest (7/1), Dalawyna (7/1), Mister Maestro (8/1), Elixsoft (16/1), Farhh Away (20/1), Timssaah (20/1), Blue Harmony (25/1), Puchita (28/1), Kenmare River (33/1), Skito Soldier (33/1), Austellus (33/1), Where's Jeff (50/1), Ryedale Encore (50/1), Miss Wolverine (66/1)

GABRIALS CENTURION showed improved form last time and shapes as though this race is within his compass. His trainer also has a fine recent record in the contest and can take it again. Weellan looks a serious danger from his better draw, with Mister Maestro another for the short list.