Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 1m 10.34s

(2)

Mr Lupton²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 103| D

11/2

Largely performed well in top-end handicaps in the second half of last season, finishing third in Great St Wilfrid over C&D before a win at the Curragh. Should be sharper for Doncaster reappearance.

Form: 03130-7

(3)

Desert Safari¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| D

7/4

Signed off his 3-y-o campaign with a fine third of 21 in valuable event at York and better than ever when making all on 6f Kempton return 19 days ago. 3 lb rise may not stop him.

Form: 71343-1

(4)

Staxton^p¹⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 91| CD

5/1

Dual C&D winner last August, the latter the Great St Wilfrid. Ended 2020 with a couple of disappointing runs but dangerous to rule out back at this venue on return.

Form: 861100-

(1)

Muscika^v¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Sean Kirrane⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| D

13/2

Pair of York wins last year. Stepped up on his reappearance when close fourth at Beverley 10 days ago. Thereabouts off the same mark.

Form: 7017-84

(6)

Fortamour^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 86| D

7/2

Dual AW winner who showed he's just as good on turf with 6f Ascot success last autumn. Encouraging return on AW in January and shaped as if still in good form when sixth at Redcar 10 weeks later.

Form: 3310-36

(5)

Citron Major^p²⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: Faye McManoman⁽³⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 83| CD

14/1

Won over C&D last July. Struggled in competitive events later in the campaign but is back on a workable mark if primed for this return.

Form: 016000-

Forecasts

Desert Safari (7/4), Fortamour (7/2), Staxton (5/1), Mr Lupton (11/2), Muscika (13/2), Citron Major (14/1)

A case can be made for all of these but DESERT SAFARI is perhaps the most solid option after his reappearance win at Kempton. The classy Mr Lupton can follow him home.