20:00 Ripon

Wednesday 5 June 2019

All18:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Directors Cup Handicap

Off time: 20:01 | Winning time: 1m 11.44s

(8)

Ice Age¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Georgia Dobie⁽⁷⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 97| D

11/1

Usually runs his race at this level but has been running off high marks recently. Tailed off last time out at Newbury (6f; good). Fair effort the time before that over C&D when sixth. Jockey claims 7lb and he is also 6lb below last winning mark.

Form: 470-569

(11)

Gulliver^p,t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

16/1

Has been contesting some decent Class 1/ Class 2 handicaps lately. Not disgraced in most of them but York was a step too far last time when he was behind the likes of Golden Apollo and Roundhay Park. First appearance in a Class 3 since October.

Form: 2-34370

(3)

Golden Apollo²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 93| D

7/2

Mark has been sliding and is now on an attractive mark after failing to get involved at York (6f; good to firm). Stable look desperate to win this though and he holds a decent each-way chance.

Form: 2090-70

(14)

Desert Doctor²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Liam Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 92| D

20/1

In tremendous form on the AW throughout the course of the winter but below-par in two starts on turf this year. Must prove he is as effective on grass but this a slightly easier assignment than the two he has been faced with recently.

Form: 151370

(4)

Growl²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

6/1

Drops down to 6f for the first time since running in the Ayr Gold Cup last season when never involved. That run was the start of a desperately disappointing run of form which he hasn't looked like altering in two starts this term. Can't be fancied.

Form: 3300-08

(7)

Pipers Note¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: J Garritty| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 92| CD

16/1

Has an incredible record at this venue, winning eight times in 21 visits (placed on numerous occasions). 2lb below last winning mark which was achieved here in August. Has a lot to prove after two poor recent runs however.

Form: 50-9200

(1)

Hyperfocus¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 90| D

7/2

Almost won for the first time in over a year when just beaten by Muscika at Thirsk (6f; good). Likely to be on the premises once more with a reproduction of that effort. Has to give that rival more weight now though.

Form: 2002-62

(5)

Roundhay Park²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Faye McManoman⁽⁵⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 88| C

6/1

Posted best run of his 2019 campaign so far when staying on sixth at York (6f; good to firm) at the Dante meeting. Dropped 2lb for that and won twice at this venue last season. Definite place claims.

Form: 530-086

(9)

Royal Brave¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: R Ffrench| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 87| CD

28/1

C&D scorer in September on good ground. Not as good since then but a 1lb below that mark now. Latest effort at Thirsk (6f; good) was uninspiring and he was behind Hyperfocus who reopposes today. Hard to fancy.

Form: 180-488

(13)

Quick Look²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 83| CD

8/1

Tasted success when scoring over C&D in August. Back down to that mark now after failing to threaten in a number of hotly contested sprint handicaps. Ran on late in the day at York (5f; good to firm) recently but form of the yard is concerning.

Form: 490-000

(12)

Bossipop^b¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: T D Easterby| OR: 83| CD

14/1

Off the same mark as when fourth at Redcar (5f; good to firm) last time. Won over C&D the time before that and disappointment were he not to be involved when in such good form. Receives weight all round.

Form: 6824-14

Non-Runners

(10)

Polybius¹¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 8

T: D M Simcock J: Dylan Hogan

(6)

Sir Maximilian³²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 10

T: Ian Williams J: B A Curtis

(2)

Muscika¹¹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: D O'Meara J: C J McGovern

Forecasts

Hyperfocus (7/2), Golden Apollo (7/2), Sir Maximilian (5/1), Growl (6/1), Roundhay Park (6/1), Quick Look (8/1), Ice Age (11/1), Polybius (12/1), Bossipop (14/1), Gulliver (16/1), Pipers Note (16/1), Desert Doctor (20/1), Muscika (20/1), Royal Brave (28/1)

The feature race of the evening presents itself as a tricky puzzle to solve. Hyperfocus and Muscika are both interesting off the back of their Thirsk run 18 days ago. However, preference is for POLYBIUS . The selection is only 2lb above his last winning mark and the combination of the drop in trip/grade can see him return to winning ways for his trainer David Simcock who is operating at a 19% strike-rate over the last two weeks.