16:12 Ripon

Monday 2 August 2021

All13:5714:3215:0715:4216:1216:4517:20

Never So Bold Handicap

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 2m 1.76s

(1)

Briardale¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: D Tudhope| T: E Bethell| OR: 81| CD

9/4

Made it 3-5 this year in taking style over C&D 16 days ago. Hiked up 8 lb but front runner is still not taken lightly for his in-form yard.

Form: 6/11051

(4)

Delph Crescent^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 72| CD

17/2

C&D winner who arrives in good heart, though he hung left (on good to firm ground) when third of 4 to Briardale over C&D 16 days ago. Well in the mix with underfoot conditions more to his liking now.

Form: 357323

(5)

Rum Runner²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: G A Harker| OR: 70

13/2

Yet to score in 2021 but he posted his best effort when second of 10 in 1m handicap here 28 days ago, running on. Ought to be competitive again back up in trip now.

Form: 446942

(7)

Wild Thunder¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: William Pyle⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 67

40/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2019, and only eighth of 10 in handicap at Ayr (8f, good to firm) 14 days ago. Back up in trip but others appeal more.

Form: 89-0988

(8)

Art Dealer¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 73

33/1

Lightly-raced maiden who came in last of 6 in handicap (14/1) at Doncaster (10.2f, good to firm) 11 days ago. Not easy to make a case for.

Form: 4356

(2)

Myristica⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: T D Easterby| OR: 73| D

6/4

Winner at Nottingham in May and in the frame all four runs since, third of 9 in 1m handicap at Musselburgh (9/2) 8 days ago. In the shake-up once more.

Form: 912443

(3)

Yorkshire Lady³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Harrison Shaw| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 73| BF| C

13/2

Course winner in May and looked on the up until last of 5 in handicap (13/8) at Newmarket on good to firm ground 38 days ago. Merits consideration back on a softer surface here.

Form: 71-2175

Non-Runners

(6)

Big Boy Bobby²⁸

Weight: 9-6| Age: 3

T: H & R Charlton J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

Myristica (6/4), Briardale (9/4), Big Boy Bobby (4/1), Yorkshire Lady (13/2), Rum Runner (13/2), Delph Crescent (17/2), Art Dealer (33/1), Wild Thunder (40/1)

A case can be made for most of these but DELPH CRESCENT should find ground conditions much more to his taste than when a recent third to Briardale over C&D and is fancied to make the most of an 8 lb weights pull and bag a second C&D victory. Ed Bethell's thriving top weight is still greatly feared though, with course-winner Yorkshire Lady another who warrants lots of respect.