16:00 Ripon

Monday 5 August 2019

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Bank Holiday Family Day 26th August Handicap

Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 2m 5.68s

(9)

Cockalorum^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 85| CD

13/8

Ready C&D winner on his penultimate start and only narrowly denied at Ayr (1m2f, soft) on latest start. Handicapped to the hilt off top weight but cheekpieces are back on to irk out improvement. Respected.

Form: 1-74512

(4)

Scottish Summit⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: K Stott| T: G A Harker| OR: 83| D

16/1

Winner off 7lb lower mark at Newmarket last term and showed slight signs of reviving that form when 7L third at Haydock (1m2f) last time out. This looks a tougher race and likely to be of more interest when lowered in the handicap.

Form: 4205-93

(7)

Livvys Dream^h⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: C Hills| OR: 80

8/1

Largely consistent sort, including when winning at Wolverhampton on seasonal debut before not disgraced when second at Chelmsford (1m2f, standard) last time. Versatile on any ground or surface so is dangerous to ignore.

Form: 1127-12

(10)

Southern Rock¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 85

3/1

Progressive since joining this yard and wasn't disgraced when fifth in 1m3f Hamilton Listed contest on latest start. Races 2lb higher off revised mark but this is an easier contest. Open to improvement again.

Form: 35-1125

(6)

Empress Ali⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 77| CD

16/1

Last win came over two years ago and has been out of form in three starts this season. Most recent 10L fourth in York handicap (1m2f) suggests she isn't the force of old and others are readily preferred.

Form: 300-004

(1)

Sands Chorus^p⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Barry McHugh| T: S Dixon| OR: 73| CD

10/1

C&D winner in 2017 and has regressed since a promising start to this season. Latest 14th in 1m1f York handicap leaves a bit to be desired and is tumbling down the handicap. Plenty to prove.

Form: 423050

(5)

Ideological¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80

16/1

Encouraging debut for stable when second at this track over 1m4f on his penultimate start but folded tamely in similar contest in July. Drops back in trip and does receive weight-for-age allowance, but others make more appeal.

Form: 3-84025

(2)

Delph Crescent^v1¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 72| D

14/1

Has been inconsistent this season and was well beaten behind Cockalorum on latest start over C&D. 6lb below last winning mark but needs significant improvement to reverse form with that rival.

Form: 254856

(8)

Hammer Gun^v³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 70

50/1

Has finally got his act together on turf this season, registering back-to-back victories at Doncaster in June before his form tailed off in last two starts. This is a tougher contest and unknown at this trip.

Form: 581136

(3)

Brandy Spirit^h¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 76

9/1

Four-race maiden and was an eye-catcher on handicap debut when a staying-on fourth in 1m1f York handicap last month. Step up to 1m2f should be no issue and remains on a likeable mark. Dangerous to ignore.

Form: 32-324

Forecasts

Cockalorum (13/8), Southern Rock (3/1), Livvys Dream (8/1), Brandy Spirit (9/1), Sands Chorus (10/1), Delph Crescent (14/1), Empress Ali (16/1), Scottish Summit (16/1), Ideological (16/1), Hammer Gun (50/1)

A handicap which could be dominated by improvers, preference is for the unexposed BRANDY SPIRIT, who would have offered a stern challenge at York last time out if he had not dwelt at the start and could be off a dangerous mark in what looks to be a slightly easier contest. Cockalorum sets the standard on form and comes into the race in good nick and the return of cheekpieces is noteworthy, while Southern Rock could be better than this level in time but has a tough mark to contend with.