16:05 Ripon

Tuesday 28 August 2018

All13:5514:3015:0015:3516:0516:3517:05

attheraces.com City Of Ripon Handicap

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 2m 1.89s

(5)

Grandee^p1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92

11/2

Listed winner in Ireland last year, but unable to add to that. Beaten 1½L here over 1m4f (good to soft) from 8lb higher on his debut for this trainer in April. Well held since, but interesting dropped in grade and with cheekpieces on.

Form: 200684

(9)

Awake My Soul¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 90| CD

10/1

Goes on most ground, although last three wins have all been on soft over this trip. Full exposed and still looks to be just a shade too high in the handicap, but couldn't rule him out of the frame.

Form: 1041-46

(2)

Indian Chief²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: J Fanning| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 88| D

11/1

Goes on any ground and was beaten just ½L from today's mark over 1m2½f at Chester in May. Also preceded that with ½L defeat over C&D from 3lb lower (soft). Drifted and well held last time, but each-way player if he can bounce back.

Form: 7-76230

(7)

Swift Emperor²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 86

18/1

Has made the frame in three of his six starts here, over C&D and 1m. Well treated on last year's Doncaster Spring Mile run from 6lb higher, but inconsistent this year and has a bit to prove after finishing 19L last of 17 at Thirsk last time.

Form: 01-4040

(4)

Brother McGonagall⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86

13/2

Rattled up a hat-trick at around 1m earlier in the season. Not ground dependent. Stamina concerns over this far and, while he can get competitive if at his best, he needs to bounce back after two below-par recent runs.

Form: 111366

(8)

Remember The Days²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 81| D

14/1

Scored over this trip on fast ground at Ayr in May, when 4lb lower. Also went close from 2lb lower back there (7f) two starts ago. Consistency has not been a strong suit this year and more is needed from this mark.

Form: 516726

(6)

Al Destoor^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: D Nolan| T: J Candlish| OR: 80| D

5/1

2-18 in this code on turf, with both wins being when there has been soft in the going description. Has dropped to a handy mark here based on runs at Chester last September and again in May, so if the rains come he would be quite interesting.

Form: 620-786

(12)

Zodiakos^p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: T Hamilton| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 77

50/1

All four wins have been on good/good to soft ground at up to 1m½f. 5lb lower than his last win, about a year ago. Revival not ruled out.

Form: 0-30660

(3)

Mulligatawny^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 77| CD

5/2

Goes well here, having won one and been placed in four of his 12 starts at the track. 10lb lower than that C&D win (soft) 13-months ago and interesting that the champion is up, with regular pilot switching to stablemate. Claims.

Form: 440346

(1)

Ventura Dragon^p²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80| D

9/1

Likes to get his toe in and scored on soft in first-time cheekpieces at Doncaster (1m2f) in March, when 4lb lower. Well held from this mark at Ayr last time, but not disgraced. Not yet fully exposed, nor ruled out here from an inside draw.

Form: 1063-18

(10)

Regarde Moi^t¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: M A Barnes| OR: 72

100/1

Prolific winner on turf in Italy at around 1m. Not a bad effort upped to this trip at Ayr last time. Now 3lb lower, but still more needed, especially from wide berth.

Form: 1469-85

Non-Runners

(11)

Armandihan⁹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: K A Ryan J: K Stott

Forecasts

Mulligatawny (5/2), Armandihan (7/2), Al Destoor (5/1), Grandee (11/2), Brother McGonagall (13/2), Ventura Dragon (9/1), Awake My Soul (10/1), Indian Chief (11/1), Remember The Days (14/1), Swift Emperor (18/1), Zodiakos (50/1), Regarde Moi (100/1)

A competitive contest where Grandee is interesting dropped in grade, and Indian Chief is among the likely contenders. It would be foolish to write off Brother McGonagall, or Armandihan after last week's win, while if Al Destoor is a potential player from this mark if the ground turns soft. However, MULLIGATAWNY goes well at the track, is also on a handy mark and the booking of Silvestre De Sousa should also give him a decent chance to get his nose back in front. Ventura Dragon looks a potential danger.