19:25 Ripon

Friday 24 July 2020

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

Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap

Off time: 19:25 | Winning time: 2m 33.72s

(7)

Dubai Future^p1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: David Egan| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 102| D

5/1

Handicap winner at Meydan in January and best effort came when runner-up in Group 3 (1m6f) over there. Starting to come back into form over here, including 6L defeat in strong Newmarket handicap last time (1m6f) so not to be entirely discounted.

Form: 1-10296

(4)

Glencadam Glory^h¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 99| D

11/1

Some promising form when trained by John Gosden. Highly-tried in the Grand Cup and Northumberland Plate this term before 4L sixth in Old Newton Cup (1m4f) earlier this month. Booked for minor honours once more.

Form: 565/406

(3)

Spanish Archer^h⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 98

14/1

Winner at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) last August but generally held off higher marks since, including 8L fifth at that track (1m2f) last time. Remains 4lb above last winning mark.

Form: 01324-5

(6)

Frankuus^b¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98

25/1

Dual Group 3 winner in his pomp and second over C&D last term. Lost action when pulling up in Old Newton Cup (1m4f, soft) last time out so cannot be judged on that. Chance on best form.

Form: 749/26-P

(5)

Indianapolis^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: S De Sousa| T: J G Given| OR: 98| D

12/1

Dual winner last term but arguably put up best performance when fifth in Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (1m4f) at Royal Ascot in June. Old Newton Cup came too soon after and one to consider off 1lb lighter mark.

Form: 181-650

(8)

The Trader¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| D

4/1

In fine form this season, easily winning a 1m4f Newmarket handicap on 2000 Guineas day before career-best third in Old Newton Cup (1m4f, soft) this month. Only up 1lb for that and looks the one to beat.

Form: 2844-13

(1)

Al Muffrih⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| BF

13/8

Buzzy type. Bombed out at Royal Ascot on return but ran well enough when setting the fractions to be third at York (1m4f) last weekend. Should lead once more and dangerous if they let him slip.

Form: 4/510-03

(2)

Groveman³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 88| D

7/1

In good form during the winter and improved from seasonal return when winning at Thirsk (1m4f), last month. Up 3lb for that but form of that race has worked out very well. One for the shortlist.

Form: 52-2141

Forecasts

Al Muffrih (13/8), The Trader (4/1), Dubai Future (5/1), Groveman (7/1), Glencadam Glory (11/1), Indianapolis (12/1), Spanish Archer (14/1), Frankuus (25/1)

The Ripon Bell-Ringer's roll of honour includes none other than dual Cheltenham Festival-winner Penhill. Preference this time is for THE TRADER, who has progressed well this season and was just caught out by the softened ground last time in a fiercely-competitive Old Newton Cup. With this being slightly easier and the handicapper giving him one more chance, he should be hard to beat. Groveman has strong form to his name, with the second of his latest win coming out and winning a heritage handicap at the July Festival, while the likes of front-running Al Muffrih and Dubai Future should be the best of the rest given their useful form in handicaps.