15:20 Ripon

Thursday 20 April 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2015:5516:3017:05

Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate Handicap

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 1m 14.22s

(5)

Mark's Choice^t1,v¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Ryan Sexton⁽³⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 82| CD

14/1

His last 6 successes have come at Ripon including last summer and this race 2 years ago but ended last term out of sorts and well held at Doncaster on return. Visor back on, tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 21060-0

(11)

Fortamour¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: P Hanagan| T: B Haslam| OR: 82| CD

9/2

Showed useful form when back-to-back winner over C&D last season, including this race. Struggled after a rise in the weights after but back on a workable mark now and had excuses both starts this term. No surprise to see him go well.

Form: 6905-05

(14)

Muscika^v²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Mark Winn⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 80| D

11/1

Going through a good spell and scored at Chelmsford City in March. Good third of 13 at Wolverhampton (6.1f) next time and respected back on the turf.

Form: 601313

(1)

Selby's Pride^p¹⁹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P Mathers| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 79| C| D

28/1

Latest win at Hamilton in August but made little impression next 2 starts so bit to prove on return.

Form: 070187-

(8)

Another Investment¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 79| D

12/1

Fourteen runs since his last win in 2021 but he posted a creditable ¾-length fourth of 14 in handicap at Newcastle (6f) on return. Seemed unsuited by heavy going at Doncaster since.

Form: 6752-40

(2)

Showtime Mahomes¹⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 77| D

14/1

Not in same form after beating 20 rivals off this mark at York early last season, though shaped better than bare result at Southwell final start. Starts the new campaign a well handicapped horse.

Form: 100007-

(4)

Bay Breeze¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77| CD

5/1

Dual C&D winner last season, including off this mark, and shaped better than the bare result at Musselburgh on return. Conditions no problem and could be the answer.

Form: 30429-9

(15)

Touchwood¹⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 77| D

22/1

Failed to win last season but runner-up 4 times, including at Leicester on final start for Charles Hills (sold 17,000 gns later in October).

Form: 222762-

(13)

Cooperation^h¹⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Mr Taylor Fisher⁽⁵⁾| T: M Murphy & M Keady| OR: 77| CD

20/1

Won twice at Nottingham in August and good efforts in defeat last 3 starts. Claims if ready to go on return.

Form: 149234-

(6)

Sir Winston¹⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 75| BF

6/1

Well backed but still looked rough around the edges when third of 8 on handicap debut at Leicester (7f, good to firm) on belated return in October. Failed to build on that at Wolverhampton later that month and off again since. Remains unexposed (has been gelded) and drop in trip could suit.

Form: 723/35-

(10)

Asadjumeirah^t,v¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 74| D

9/1

Three wins from 18 runs last year. Kept busy on AW this year, running creditably last 2 starts, and has the advantage of race fitness.

Form: 648824

(9)

Prodigious Blue¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Faye McManoman| T: N Tinkler| OR: 73

50/1

Finally off the mark at Redcar last summer but below par since, though might have needed the run at Redcar on return.

Form: 21668-5

(7)

Burj Malinka^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Connor Murtagh| T: Adrian Nicholls| OR: 70

9/1

Won twice at Hamilton last season and ended campaign with a good second effort at Pontefract. Creditable third at Doncaster on return and player if building on that with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 13062-3

(12)

Stay Smart^t²⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 66| C| D

100/1

Losing run is mounting up and struggled in 5 outings last year. Since been sold from David O'Meara for £1,500 so plenty prove after 9 months off.

Form: 5/69876-

(3)

Iris Dancer¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁵⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 65| CD

10/1

Raced mostly at sprint trips and doubled her tally for the season at Hamilton in September. Below par next 3 starts but had excuses on her return and mark has eased again.

Form: 55189-6

Forecasts

Fortamour (9/2), Bay Breeze (5/1), Sir Winston (6/1), Asadjumeirah (9/1), Burj Malinka (9/1), Iris Dancer (10/1), Muscika (11/1), Another Investment (12/1), Showtime Mahomes (14/1), Mark's Choice (14/1), Cooperation (20/1), Touchwood (22/1), Selby's Pride (28/1), Prodigious Blue (50/1), Stay Smart (100/1)

Race fitness is likely to be an advantage given the conditions and dual C&D-winner BAY BREEZE ticks plenty of boxes having shaped better than the bare result at Musselburgh on his return. There are plenty of potential dangers, however, including the veteran Muscika and last year's winner Fortamour.