17:05 Ripon

Monday 7 August 2023

All14:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate Handicap

Off time: 17:06 | Winning time: 2m 6.89s

(7)

Strawman⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Laura Coughlan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Tutty| OR: 79| CD

11/2

C&D winner who wasn't disgraced when fifth of 10 in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f) 9 days ago. Can make his presence felt eased 1 lb now.

Form: 305325

(1)

Zarabanda²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 78

3/1

Got back on the up to gain a first win in handicap company over 1m at Nottingham 20 days ago. Goes very well on soft ground so expected to be bang there nudged up just 1 lb.

Form: 10-6691

(5)

Casilli¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Lewis Chalkley⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 76| CD

13/2

C&D winner who hinted at a revival when third of 8 in handicap at this C&D (soft) 16 days ago. Can go well off the same mark.

Form: 1-05753

(6)

Very Excellent¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Cam Hardie| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 73| D

33/1

Got off the mark for his current yard in 5-runner handicap at Beverley (9.9f, soft) 14 days ago. Needs considering despite taking a 2 lb rise.

Form: 10-3871

(3)

Poet's Dawn¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 70| CD

4/1

C&D winner who arrives in good order, second of 8 in handicap at this C&D (soft) 16 days ago. In the mix once more.

Form: 033842

(2)

Lerwick²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 77

3/1

Improved form to get off the mark in 7-runner handicap at Pontefract (8f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Up 4 lb but this longer trip should suit so he's very much one to consider.

Form: 224-471

(4)

Vallamorey¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: T Eaves| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 68| D

11/1

Winner at Doncaster in April but in and out since, only fifth of 6 in handicap at Catterick (12.1f) 12 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 63-1065

Forecasts

Zarabanda (3/1), Lerwick (3/1), Poet's Dawn (4/1), Strawman (11/2), Casilli (13/2), Vallamorey (11/1), Very Excellent (33/1)

A few with chances but ZARABANDA handles soft ground very well so edges the vote nudged up only 1 lb for her recent Nottingham success. Pontefract scorer Lerwick rates a big threat now stepped up in distance, with in-form C&D winner Poet's Dawn also not taken lightly.