18:25 Ripon

Friday 24 July 2020

All16:5517:2517:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:25

Armstrong Memorial Handicap

Off time: 18:25 | Winning time: 1m 11.44s

(12)

Brian The Snail⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| D

8/1

Can be hard to predict despite having obvious talent, and put his best foot forward when game winner of strong-looking Newcastle handicap (6f) last month. 5lb rise is harsh for winning margin but respected nonetheless.

Form: 00030-1

(8)

Vintage Brut^p³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: S De Sousa| T: T D Easterby| OR: 90| D

16/1

Yet to win since easy Listed triumph in October 2018 and not in any sort of form this term. Beaten 13L in Silver Wokingham at Royal Ascot (6f) on latest start and may be on a downward spiral.

Form: 5050-00

(4)

Royal Residence³⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 89| D

40/1

6f handicap winner last term who has good form at a higher level but finished stint at previous yard with poor 19th in Ayr Silver Cup (6f). Makes first start for this yard off 2lb lower mark.

Form: 2S1340-

(2)

Equiano Springs²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: T P Queally| T: T P Tate| OR: 89| D

6/1

Winner at Newcastle (6f) in March and backed that up with game success at Newmarket (6f) last month. Incurs 5lb penalty for that however looks to be on a good run of form. Considered.

Form: 4010-11

(3)

Quick Look¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 85| CD

15/2

Made outstanding return when 80/1 third at Haydock (6f) last month and ran to same level when 2L fifth at Ayr (6f) three weeks ago. Eased 1lb so dangerously poised.

Form: 0619-35

(6)

Muscika^b1⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84| D

5/2

Not the most consistent recently but but up better performance when narrow second in York handicap (6f) six days ago. Up 3lb but entitled to some claims.

Form: 54-6282

(9)

Makyon³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 88| D

25/1

Had some smart form as a juvenile when cut in ground. Absolute no show on seasonal debut when beaten 27L at Pontefract (6f) last month. Should be better than that.

Form: 00124-8

(11)

Citron Major^v1⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Rowan Scott⁽³⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 83| CD

5/1

6f winner last season but having a quiet patch as of late, including 5L 10th at York (6f) on latest start. Heading back towards career-low mark and needs more.

Form: 06-5970

(7)

Flying Pursuit^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 83| CD

10/1

Has some promising pieces of form while not being the most consistent. Ran mighty race to finish 2l fourth at Ayr (6f) last time and makes appeal off 2lb lower mark.

Form: 5324-04

(10)

Captain Jameson¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Barry McHugh| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 82| D

12/1

Winless since October 2018 and not showing signs of that ending anytime soon. Beaten 11L in 1m York handicap last time and now reverts back to sprinting. Limited appeal.

Form: 3235-59

(5)

Dark Defender^b²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: S H James| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 81| CD

22/1

C&D winner last season and scored on return with narrow win at Newmarket (6f) in June. Not as good at Hamilton (6f) subsequently and chance he is in the grip of the handicapper.

Form: 6007-15

(1)

Afandem^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 78| D

22/1

Inconsistent but can run well, as shown by promising seasonal return at Beverley (6f) followed by tame 11th at Newcastle (5f) this month. 6f has limited him before so best watched.

Form: 0328-20

Forecasts

Muscika (5/2), Citron Major (5/1), Equiano Springs (6/1), Quick Look (15/2), Brian The Snail (8/1), Flying Pursuit (10/1), Captain Jameson (12/1), Vintage Brut (16/1), Afandem (22/1), Dark Defender (22/1), Makyon (25/1), Royal Residence (40/1)

A fair few formerly-useful sorts meet some who typically run to their marks in this heat and one who applies to the latter is QUICK LOOK. He showed their was no fluke about his encouraging seasonal return at 80/1 and with a further ease of 1lb in the weights, he has slowly worked his way back to workable mark. A similar claim can be made for Flying Pursuit, who is 2lb better off for a top run last time when the wrong side of the track at Ayr, while the likes of Brian The Snail and Equiano Springs bring winning form to the table but their hefty hike suggests the handicapper isn't willing to take any chances.