16:10 Ripon

Saturday 29 April 2023

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

Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 1m 2.25s

(10)

Mr Wagyu^v¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: J P Sullivan| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 100| C

18/1

Admirable sprinter who enjoyed another fine campaign last season, landing big pots at Epsom and the Curragh. Beat only one returning from 6 months off at Newmarket though so more is required from this course winner.

Form: 53505-0

(9)

Mondammej^h²⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 99| D

14/1

It's now 12 runs since his last win in 2021 and he was out of sorts when last seen 8 months ago. Needs to hit the ground running.

Form: 462000-

(1)

Last Crusader^v1⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: D Tudhope| T: K R Burke| OR: 99| D

14/1

Off 4 months before coming in last of 8 in handicap at Newcastle (6f) 53 days ago. Useful 5f winner at his best but he has plenty to prove at present. Returns in stronger headgear.

Form: 19846-8

(4)

Justanotherbottle^b¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Rowan Scott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 97| C| D

10/1

Admirable 9-y-o who enhanced his fine course record when successful last June. Reappearance sixth at Pontefract is best ignored (blindfold removed late) and he needs considering back here.

Form: 50250-6

(7)

Nomadic Empire^p⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| D

10/1

Useful sprinter who comes here from a winter spell at Sakhir, scoring in December. Goes well on soft ground so must enter calculations.

Form: 0713-40

(5)

Hyperfocus^p²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Sean Kirrane⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 93| C| D

8/1

Haydock 6f winner last July and he signed off for 2022 with good second in big-field York handicap. Looked rusty after 6 months off at Doncaster on his return and can take a big step forward off a handy-looking mark.

Form: 43022-0

(3)

Intrinsic Bond¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 92| C| D

11/1

Dual winner last season, including in the Great St Wilfrid here in August. Yet to fire in two runs on heavy ground this term though so has it to prove.

Form: 1100-08

(6)

Vintage Clarets²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91| D

7/4

Fairly useful 6f winner who resumed with an unlucky-in-running second of 13 in handicap at Musselburgh (5f, soft) 21 days ago. Can go well off an unchanged mark.

Form: 10229-2

(2)

Illusionist³⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 90| D

6/1

Returned with 5f handicap win at York in 2022 but off for 10 months since posting a solid Newcastle fourth. Has won off a break though so he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 0106/14-

(8)

Copper Knight^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 89| D

9/1

Veteran sprinter who shaped encouragingly after 6 months off when fourth of 8 in handicap (16/1) at Pontefract (5f, heavy) 18 days ago. One for the shortlist.

Form: 00770-4

Forecasts

Vintage Clarets (7/4), Illusionist (6/1), Hyperfocus (8/1), Copper Knight (9/1), Nomadic Empire (10/1), Justanotherbottle (10/1), Intrinsic Bond (11/1), Mondammej (14/1), Last Crusader (14/1), Mr Wagyu (18/1)

VINTAGE CLARETS made an encouraging return when runner-up at Musselburgh and can emerge on top in a very open sprint. Justanotherbottle is always to be feared here and is next on the list, while Hyperfocus is fancied to take a big step forward from his reappearance Doncaster run and can also have a say along with Nomadic Empire.