20:30 Ripon

Wednesday 5 June 2019

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

Ripon Races Supports Racing Welfare Handicap

Off time: 20:30 | Winning time: 3m 29.77s

(4)

Gang Warfare^b,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: B A Curtis| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 77| D

16/1

Tends to run in much better races than this, as shown by his appearance in a Class 3 Ascot (2m; soft) handicap last time. 3lb below last winning mark and drops into a Class 5 for the first time in almost four years. Check for market clues.

Form: 17-9368

(1)

Stormin Tom²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 74| CD

5/1

Been desperately out of form since being hit with a 7lb rise for winning at this track (1m6f; good) last summer. Subsequently 13lb below that mark now but tailed off in both starts this year and hard to have any faith in this four-time C&D winner.

Form: 8770-00

(3)

Always Resolute^v²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74| C| D

11/8

Looked past his best throughout most of last summer, but has been resurgent in recent months. Ran well again last time when third in the Chester Plate (2m2f; heavy). That was his first run on the Flat for eight months and this is slightly easier.

Form: 4/0348-3

(9)

Buyer Beware¹⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: S H James| T: L Bailey| OR: 61

12/1

Changed stables since finishing fourth over fences at Musselburgh in January. This represents his first start since then and he hasn't made an appearance on the level for 258 days. Has been well-beaten on each attempt over this trip on the Flat too.

Form: 015784-

(8)

Indian Vision³⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: A Mullen| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 61

12/1

Makes seasonal return tonight after a 303-day absence. Was progressive in four runs on the Flat last year and won on comeback last season, so not entirely impossible to see him resuming his progress.

Form: 05/1125-

(5)

Galitello^v¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 60| D

11/1

Has been regressive since winning an AW handicap at Lingfield (2m; standard) in February. Handicapper not really relenting and he is extremely hard to recommend in current vein of form. Best watched.

Form: 108608

(2)

Angel Gabrial^p⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 8-4| J: David Egan| T: P Morris| OR: 57| CD

3/1

Produced two good efforts in defeat the last twice. Especially at Doncaster (1m6f; good to firm) last time when third behind the in-form Echo and resurgent Swordbill. A reproduction of that would see him finish in the money once again.

Form: 489623

(7)

Tebay¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: R Ffrench| T: L McJannet| OR: 54

25/1

Nine-race maiden who hasn't cut much ice in his career so far. Steps up from 1m3f to 2m for the first time which offers room for improvement but has to prove he stays. Others have more pressing claims.

Form: 74-8079

Non-Runners

(6)

Trautmann¹⁰⁵

Weight: 9-1| Age: 5

T: R Menzies J: Cam Hardie

Forecasts

Always Resolute (11/8), Angel Gabrial (3/1), Stormin Tom (5/1), Trautmann (11/2), Galitello (11/1), Indian Vision (12/1), Buyer Beware (12/1), Gang Warfare (16/1), Tebay (25/1)

There are plenty of candidates in this race who are dropping down a grade for the first time in a while, and although that does give them claims, they are in here for a reason. Therefore, preference is to stick with those who are in-form. Namely, the likes of ALWAYS RESOLUTE who is in a great place at the moment, as showed when making a highly commendable comeback on the Flat when third in a competitive renewal of the Chester Plate. Trautmann and Indian Vision are other names to note. The former has been given a break after running respectably in a higher grade and could resume his progress, while the latter also returns from a break but has shown he can go well fresh.