15:35 Ripon

Saturday 29 April 2023

All14:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:1517:50

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Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 43.75s

(1)

Barenboim^h²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96

6/1

Thrived for this yard on AW, gaining fifth success since October when landing 6-runner Newcastle handicap (12.5f) in March. Good third in 2m conditions' event back at that venue on Good Friday and he's certainly not out of things back on turf.

Form: 61-1213

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(7)

It's Good To Laugh^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J Candlish| OR: 85| BF| D

4/1

Multiple Flat/hurdles winner who never figured on return in latter sphere 31 days ago, jumping markedly left and racing freely. Has been given a chance by the assessor ahead of this return to the level and booking of Hollie Doyle rates a plus. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 590543-

(2)

Land Of Winter^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: Rae Guest| OR: 84| CD

10/3

C&D winner who was successful twice during a light 2021 campaign. Winless last term but shaped as if better for the run when sixth in 8-runner Pontefract handicap (18f) earlier this month. Better showing anticipated here.

Form: 56406-6

(6)

Legendary Day^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Ryan Sexton⁽³⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 83

6/1

Made a fine start for this yard, tasting success over hurdles at Sedgefield (16.8f) in November and bagging pair of 12.5f AW handicaps subsequently. Never better than midfield at Lingfield (12f) 3 weeks ago but he's still unexposed at this sort of trip.

Form: 35-2117

(4)

The Predictor^p²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 79| BF| D

17/2

Confirmed previous promise and did well under the circumstances to open his account at Thirsk (2m) in August, digging deep under pressure. Backed that up when runner-up at York in September and he's not out of things on return for in-form yard.

Form: 932812-

(3)

Pons Aelius²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 78| D

5/1

Successful 4 times during a busy 2022, culminating in success in London Stayers' Final at Kempton (2m) in December. Fit from a couple of spins on AW in recent months and fact he's operating from lower mark back on turf is a plus.

Form: 0341-78

(5)

Bringbackmemories¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: S H James| T: I Jardine| OR: 77| D

7/1

Winning hurdler who wasn't disgraced back on the Flat when third in a 6-runner Redcar novice (10f) earlier this month, plugging on. This trip is worth exploring returned to handicaps. Market should guide.

Form: 32682-3

Forecasts

Land Of Winter (10/3), It's Good To Laugh (4/1), Pons Aelius (5/1), Legendary Day (6/1), Barenboim (6/1), Bringbackmemories (7/1), The Predictor (17/2)

A wide-open stayers' handicap with the narrow vote in favour of IT'S GOOD TO LAUGH. He needs to dispel a lesser effort over hurdles in March but largely acquitted himself with credit in stronger company on the Flat last term and, from a reduced mark, he could be ready to strike under Hollie Doyle. Previous C&D winner Land of Winter and The Predictor head up the dangers.