19:45 Ripon

Monday 4 July 2022

All18:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Armstrong Memorial Handicap

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 2m 0.48s

(6)

Fishable^p,t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: T Eaves| T: T D Easterby| OR: 91| CD

15/2

3-time C&D winner who wasn't disgraced when fourth of 7 over 12f back here 2 weeks ago. Has now fallen 1 lb below last winning mark and represents in-form yard so certainly not ruled out.

Form: 09-5424

(2)

Myristica^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 89| CD

9/4

Confirmed more positive signs when doubling C&D tally 2 starts back and again had nice bit in hand when going in again at Beverley (10f) 2 weeks ago. Assessor applies further pressure but clearly in rude health and highly respected in hat-trick bid.

Form: 3-05211

(3)

Menai Bridge²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: C Hills| OR: 86| D

6/1

Five wins from 18 Flat runs. Latest win at Lingfield in February. 15/2, good second of 9 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW) 21 days ago. Enters calculations.

Form: 318342

(1)

Matchless²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: I Furtado| OR: 85| D

6/1

Latest win at Doncaster in April. Creditable third of 6 in handicap (10/3) at Pontefract (12f, good) 28 days ago. Drop back in trip will hold no fears.

Form: 441143

(5)

Society Red¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: O McSweeney⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| CD

12/1

3 wins from 6 runs this year. Improved on recent efforts to win 4-runner handicap at this C&D (good to firm, 16/1) 18 days ago, very much having run of race.

Form: 121581

(7)

Claim The Crown¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 93

5/1

Chelmsford novice winner (1m) who wasn't disgraced when midfield in 30-runner Britannia Handicap at the Royal Meeting 18 days ago. Drop back to calmer waters rates a plus and longer trip may well be within range. Worth a look.

Form: 3136-70

(4)

Spirit Catcher²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89

4/1

Made it 2 wins from first 3 career starts on return in a Musselburgh handicap (1m) in April. However, has proved something of a disappointment more recently, last of 12 in handicap at Chester (7.6f, good to firm, 14/1) 23 days ago. Must bounce back.

Form: 12-1390

Forecasts

Myristica (9/4), Spirit Catcher (4/1), Claim The Crown (5/1), Matchless (6/1), Menai Bridge (6/1), Fishable (15/2), Society Red (12/1)

MYRISTICA is now operating from a career-high mark but she's a filly at the top of her game, impressing in winning handicaps over C&D/at Beverley in recent weeks and is fancied to make a bold bid to land the hat-trick for the red-hot Tim Easterby yard. Menai Bridge and 3-y-o Claim The Crown head up the dangers.