14:55 Ripon

Monday 13 August 2018

All13:5014:2014:5515:2515:5516:30

Weatherbys General Stud Book Handicap

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 2m 59.76s

(6)

Dominating¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87| D

5/1

Stamina very much his forte as shown with a 2m2f win in soft ground at Pontefract last term. Best effort this term came over this trip (all other starts at 2m plus) when second at Carlisle. Capable off current mark and will appreciate forecast rain.

Form: 808297

(1)

Stone The Crows³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: T Eaves| T: I Jardine| OR: 86| D

9/2

Three runs this term have seen him twice seem not to stay 2m½f at York but sandwiched between those races was a 1m6f win at Carlisle where he battled to success over Dominating. Perhaps this is his trip so has to be respected.

Form: 266-015

(9)

Mutadaffeq¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84| BF| C

8/1

1m4f winner here in July flopped under a 6lb penalty latest when fourth of five at Leicester. First run at this trip so going into the unknown but handicap looks workable so big chance if he stays the trip.

Form: 933214

(7)

Briardale^t1⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: P Hanagan| T: J D Bethell| OR: 84

22/1

1m2f winner at Redcar last May has beaten just one rival in his five subsequent races including two this term. Only previous run beyond 1m4f saw him tailed off in last year's Cesarewitch. Lots of question marks at present.

Form: 1000-07

(2)

Archippos⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: P A Kirby| OR: 84

13/2

Won over 1m2f on soft ground first time out this term at Doncaster and followed up with a good third at Thirsk before losing his way since. Steps up in trip now and could be suited but recent form is a concern.

Form: 35-1390

(8)

Stormin Tom⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 80| BF| CD

10/3

Model of consistency this term finishing in the money in all bar one of his starts and winning over 2m at Beverley. Sound efforts both runs since including back to this trip at Catterick latest. Goes on all ground and looks the one to beat.

Form: 532122

(3)

Ajman Prince²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: A C Whillans| OR: 80

8/1

Dual AW scorer returned from near 600-day absence with an excellent third at Wolverhampton over 1m4f at 66/1. Only ran once on turf in his career and must avoid the bounce here in first try over this trip.

Form: 52112/3

(4)

Italian Riviera^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: Nathan Evans| T: Kenneth Slack| OR: 75| D

14/1

Four-time hurdles winner won back-to-back races over 2m at Catterick this term but handicapper had his measure since. Trip here likely on the sharp side for him.

Form: 2-41164

(10)

Chebsey Beau³²

Age: 8| Weight: 8-4| J: D Fentiman| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 68| D

14/1

Winning hurdler and chaser has finished in distant thirds in last two runs at Doncaster. Won off today's mark last term over this trip at Musselburgh but not in as good form this year.

Form: 103-733

Non-Runners

(5)

Tawdeea⁵⁸

Weight: 9-7| Age: 6

T: D O'Meara J: S H James

Forecasts

Stormin Tom (10/3), Stone The Crows (9/2), Dominating (5/1), Archippos (13/2), Mutadaffeq (8/1), Ajman Prince (8/1), Tawdeea (10/1), Chebsey Beau (14/1), Italian Riviera (14/1), Briardale (22/1)

STORMIN TOM is a thoroughly likable sort and this tough, consistent stayer can gain a deserved second success of the campaign here. There was little between Dominating and Stone The Crows when the pair met over 1m6f at Carlisle with the latter coming out on top but this time slight preference is for Mark Johnston's stayer who is slightly better off at the weights and his chance would be enhanced by significant rain which is a possibility.