16:35 Ripon

Monday 27 August 2018

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Ripon Rowels Handicap

Off time: 16:39 | Winning time: 1m 39.90s

(9)

Gulf Of Poets¹¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 99| D

12/1

In great form in the spring when conditions were soft, winning at both Pontefract and Haydock, before going close from 1lb lower at Wetherby (all 1m). Taken out three times since due to fast ground. If the forecast rain arrives, he has claims.

Form: 783-113

(2)

Waarif⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: C J McGovern⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| CD

7/2

Gets on well with this pilot, who has partnered him to all three wins this season at Carlisle, Pontefract and most recently over C&D (good), from 3lb lower. Would have it to prove on softer ground, but in cracking form and enters calculations.

Form: 421141

(7)

Cote d'Azur^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J Fanning| T: J L Eyre| OR: 93| C| D

11/1

At his best on fast ground and is effective from 1m-1m2f. Scored over the latter trip at Nottingham last time. Up 3lb for that, and although he handles good to soft, he really needs it to stay dry to have his best chance.

Form: 805341

(3)

Borderforce²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 92| D

22/1

Won four times in France at 7f-1m, all when there was some cut in the ground. Well beaten on both starts for this trainer (50-1 both times). Drops 5lb now, but probably one to watch for the time being.

Form: 1-61000

(4)

Gurkha Friend⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 92| CD

9/2

4-6 here, having won twice over C&D and twice over 1m1f (all on good/good to firm). Worth noting that the only time he has finished out of the frame here was in this race last year, from 2lb higher. Acts on good to soft, good draw and is considered.

Form: 007-711

(8)

Hayadh⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 90

11/2

Returned from well over two years off to win on stable debut at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in February. Went close at Wetherby (1m, good to soft) when 3lb higher in May and ran well behind Waarif here last time, but inconsistency a concern.

Form: 620804

(10)

Just Hiss^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| D

13/2

All three of his wins have been from 1m-1m1f on good/good to soft ground, the best of them from 2lb lower at York last year. 3lb better off with Waarif for 1L here last time (and 1lb better off with stablemate Mikmak for a neck), so is respected.

Form: 6357-03

(1)

Mikmak^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| C| D

3/1

Yet to to finish out of the frame in five starts here (won over 1m2f from 11lb lower in June). Is usually ridden held up, which his record suggests is not always ideal at this venue. Caught close home by Waarif over C&D latest. Major player.

Form: 522312

(5)

Two For Two^p¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 8-7| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 80| CD

33/1

Has run some good races here, winning once (in 2013) and going close behind Gurkha Friend off this mark in June. Not ground dependent and is 8lb lower than when last winning at Ayr last year. Beaten just 1L at Pontefract last time. Each-way claims.

Form: 540542

Non-Runners

(6)

Fayez²

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: D O'Meara J: Shane Gray

Forecasts

Mikmak (3/1), Waarif (7/2), Gurkha Friend (9/2), Hayadh (11/2), Just Hiss (13/2), Cote d'Azur (11/1), Gulf Of Poets (12/1), Fayez (16/1), Borderforce (22/1), Two For Two (33/1)

Another competitive renewal of this traditional Bank Holiday race. After a spate of double-figure prices, three of the last four winners have been favourites and two of the last four winners have been trained by David O'Meara, who saddles both Waarif and Fayez this time. The former is in super form and looks a serious player again, but rain would be a bit of a concern. That is not the case, however, for GULF OF POETS, who looks to have been saved for softer conditions and can hopefully pick up where he left off in the spring. Course specialist Gurkha Friend is very much respected again, with Mikmak another for the short-list.