17:40 Ripon

Monday 26 August 2019

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

AJA Novice Flat Amateur Riders' Handicap

Off time: 17:43 | Winning time: 2m 19.81s

(5)

Zealous^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Connor Wood⁽⁵⁾| T: A C Whillans| OR: 62

5/4

Much better effort last time out at Carlisle (1m1f, good to soft) having previously been struggling this season, scoring with something in hand. Needs to back that up now from 5lb higher mark over longer trip.

Form: 3-90851

(10)

Ezanak¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss S L Bowen| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 58

5/1

Ex-Dan Skelton hurdler, struggled in the care of Mick Appleby. Landed a seller over 1m4f at Beverley 11 days ago, now must try and replicate that positive back in a handicap.

Form: 056001

(9)

Khismet^p¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Miss Imogen Mathias| T: J L Flint| OR: 52

7/1

Has won 2-3 over hurdles recently and returns to this sphere on a potentially workable mark. Three AW successes in maiden/claiming company back in 2016, has something to prove on the Flat.

Form: 3571/05

(3)

Bold Statement^t⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Mr E Cagney⁽⁵⁾| T: A Berry| OR: 49

33/1

Arcano gelding, tailed off all three starts since joining this trainer, including in a handicap at Carlisle (1m3f, good to soft) five days ago and seemingly facing an uphill task again.

Form: 4-57050

(1)

Graceful Act¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Miss Sophie Smith| T: R E Barr| OR: 49| CD

7/1

Veteran mare, scooped one of these at Beverley (1m2f, good) last month and perhaps found drop in trip against her back there since. Back up in distance and has to be given some sort of chance.

Form: 835517

(7)

Sulafaat^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Miss J I Bedi⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 48

8/1

Filly has yet to show her best stuff on turf, but comes here off the back of a good second at Newcastle on the AW this month, suited by the fast pace. May well offer up a challenge back on this surface.

Form: 047502

(4)

Optima Petamus^b¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Shannon Watts| T: L Bailey| OR: 45

13/2

Without a win since scoring for Luca Cumani back in 2015, with just 1-44 career record. More than 3L behind Graceful Act at Beverley last month, possible place claims if coming from off the pace.

Form: 260464

(6)

Carta Blanca²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Miss Amy Collier| T: D Thompson| OR: 45

25/1

Has shown little ability on the flat or over hurdles and would be difficult to make a case for having finished tailed off on stable bow /return from layoff this month at Carlisle (1m3f, good to soft; 50-1).

Form: 5590/0-0

(8)

Barney Bullet^e/s²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Paige Hopper⁽⁵⁾| T: N Wilson| OR: 45

18/1

Now a 16-race maiden; hasn't really threatened to shed that status on turf so far in 2019 (0-5) and needs new trip to work oracle having been easily beaten here recently over 1m½f.

Form: 0-04560

Non-Runners

(2)

Shakiah³⁸

Weight: 10-1| Age: 4

T: Mrs S A Watt J: Mr Henry Newcombe

Forecasts

Zealous (5/4), Ezanak (5/1), Optima Petamus (13/2), Graceful Act (7/1), Khismet (7/1), Sulafaat (8/1), Barney Bullet (18/1), Carta Blanca (25/1), Shakiah (25/1), Bold Statement (33/1)

The old lady in the field, Graceful Act showed her desire for winning races remains intact when scoring last month at Beverley and she'll find being back over this trip a help having struggled since at the same course over shorter. Sulafaat is yet to shine on turf but does come here off a positive run on Newcastle's AW track, ensuring she too merits consideration. Carlisle winner ZEALOUS looks the one to side with despite a 5lb rise however. He is still well-treated on his old form and has his weight taken off by Connor Wood's claim, having seemed to thrive in first-time cheekpieces three weeks ago.