16:35 Ripon

Thursday 18 April 2019

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

Ripon 'Cock O' The North' Handicap

Off time: 16:38 | Winning time: 1m 39.23s

(1)

Divinity¹⁸⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 86| BF| D

10/1

Won two novice stakes last season but found handicapping tough after assessment. Held when highly tried in a Group 2 at Doncaster last September and also brushed aside in both subsequent starts. Has a bit to prove now.

Form: 611973-

(2)

Two Blondes¹⁸⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: M R Channon| OR: 86| D

7/1

Visored for both wins last season but the headgear is dispensed with today. Gelded since last seen, so possible he'll be naturally more focused. The betting can guide though.

Form: 316145-

(3)

Alkaamel¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁷⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 85| D

4/1

Held his form impeccably well since contesting handicaps and went close to extending his winning run to four on the bounce last time out; got on well with Cieren Fallon on that occasion and another bold bid can be expected from just 1lb higher.

Form: 86-1112

(6)

Metatron²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 84| BF

10/1

Has ability and is a likely candidate to cut out the running. Yet to race on turf but it's still early days for the gelding; interesting to note how the betting reacts to this handicap debutante. Possible he can rise to the challenge.

Form: 13-4

(9)

Hesslewood¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: J D Bethell| OR: 84| D

4/1

Was just a neck in front of Alkaamel at Newcastle at the start of this month but his turf form hasn't been so good up to now. Still unexposed at 1m but is 1lb worse off with his old foe this time and also needs to prove he'll adapt to the surface.

Form: 12506-1

(8)

Ideological¹⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 83| D

4/1

Won twice in novice company but held off this mark on her handicap debut last time; more to do in a stiffer looking race. Others make more appeal.

Form: 1213-

(7)

Off Piste^t²⁰¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79| CD

12/1

Won a C&D novice auction last August but well beaten in both handicap starts since. Plenty to prove now. Gelded since his last run.

Form: 43105-

(5)

Mustadun¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 78

10/1

Yard won this race four times in the last ten years and this fellow comes here as an unexposed individual over a trip which should suit. He was denied a clear run twice last time out and is probably better than the bare form. One to consider.

Form: 4123

(4)

Irv¹⁸⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: G Lee| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 75

33/1

Showed promise on handicap debut but was well held from a 1lb higher mark last time. Another with a bit to find now.

Form: 98427-

(10)

Garrison Commander¹⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Georgia Dobie⁽⁷⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 75

12/1

Form up to press hasn't looked anything out of the ordinary and the gelding has plenty to prove on his handicap debut.

Form: 345-

Forecasts

Alkaamel (4/1), Hesslewood (4/1), Ideological (4/1), Two Blondes (7/1), Divinity (10/1), Mustadun (10/1), Metatron (10/1), Garrison Commander (12/1), Off Piste (12/1), Irv (33/1)

The switch to turf and a 1lb turn around in the weights can help ALKAAMEL reverse earlier April form with Hesslewood, who is respected but lacks the previous turf form of the selection. Metatron also lacks experience of this surface but this £120,000 purchase has shown plenty of zest so far and could well rise above the challenge. Mustadun is another who is probably better than he showed last time and is rated as the best of the rest on this occasion.