14:10 Ripon

Wednesday 8 July 2020

All12:0012:3513:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:40

attheraces.com Handicap

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 2m 1.31s

(5)

Sameem³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: D Allan| T: J Tate| OR: 94| CD

9/4

C&D winner last July from a 4lb lower mark, and goes all on ground, so conditions ideal, and shaped nicely on reappearance at Haydock last month. Looks sure to come on for that and is one with a major chance in this.

Form: 01154-7

(1)

Nicklaus²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 90

3/1

This is probably his level these days but he's tricky to win with at the best of times, and he's yet to show that 10f is really what he wants. Probably wants the rain to stay away too, and on balance, others are preferred.

Form: 32023-0

(3)

Star Of Southwold^p1¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 89| D

14/1

Last win came off a 2lb higher mark, so well enough handicapped at preesent, shaped okay on latest start at Ayr and connectiions now try a pair of cheekpieces to help his finishing effort. Dangerous to discount.

Form: 3-65495

(8)

Mulligatawny^p¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 86| CD

16/1

Has retruned this season in good heart, in the frame over C&D on reappearance and ran just as well at Hamilton last week. Drop of rain will do his chance no harm, handles the track well and has every chance of taking a prize home here.

Form: 9970-33

(6)

Hesslewood¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: J D Bethell| OR: 85

13/2

Almost made a winning reapperance at Beverley last month, beaten a short head and then far from disgraced at Redcar last time; question is whether this step up in trip is what he wants, and on that, he's best watched today.

Form: 5204-25

(7)

Benadalid¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 84| CD

5/1

Loves it here and made it course win number three when successful here on latest start.4lb rise means he probably needs a personal best to score, but handles most ground and simply can't be discounted at his favourite track.

Form: 3140-91

(4)

Arctic Fox³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| D

40/1

Now back on her last winning mark and won't mind a bit of cut, so has some plus points, but her form since those wins last summer has takena turn for the worse, and she was readily held on her reappearance last month.

Form: 11666-8

(2)

Dark Jedi¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79

6/1

Took advantage of his falling mark to score with a bit in hand at Hamilton last week, that despite not getting the best of runs through. Still well in despite a penalty and only question is whether this step up in trip will suit.

Form: 0658-71

Forecasts

Sameem (9/4), Nicklaus (3/1), Benadalid (5/1), Dark Jedi (6/1), Hesslewood (13/2), Star Of Southwold (14/1), Mulligatawny (16/1), Arctic Fox (40/1)

Not many of these can be ruled out with much confidence. Benadalid looks sure to give it his best shot at what is a home fixture for him, but others look better handicapped, and he may have to settle for a place. Dark Jedi is one of those that's very well treated but this trip will ask a new question of him, and preference is for top weight SAMEEM, who will find conditions to his liking and looks sure to come on for last month's pipe-opener. A bit more rain would be ideal for Mulligatawny and Star Of Southwold could improve now equipped with some headgear.