15:42 Ripon

Thursday 18 April 2024

All13:5714:3215:0715:4216:1716:5217:25

Ripon 'Cock O' The North' Handicap

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 2m 18.47s

(2)

Stressfree²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87| D

2/1

Has quickly developed into a useful handicapper for this yard, winning in the mud over this trip at Nottingham last backend and even better form when runner-up on his Doncaster reappearance. Looks sure to go well again.

Form: 17421-2

(6)

Cockalorum¹⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 85| CD

28/1

Three-time C&D winner, including this race on his 2023 reappearance. Can't discount but others do look better handicapped.

Form: 570157-

(1)

Karmology¹⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: K R Burke| OR: 84| C

5/1

Won a course maiden and Newcastle novice (both 1m) on first 2 starts. Creditable fourth of 8 on 1m Newmarket handicap debut final start. Only had 3 runs so surprise if there isn't more to come.

Form: 114-

(3)

Knockbrex¹⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 83| D

8/1

Didn't make the anticipated progress after a very promising start to his 3-y-o campaign but still relatively low mileage and it wouldn't be a big surprise were he to up his game as a 4-y-o.

Form: 400340-

(4)

Maxi King³⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: O J Orr| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 82| D

5/1

First run since leaving David Loughnane when showing improved form to win a 1¼m Doncaster maiden (heavy) in March 2023. Off since but retains potential and it'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him.

Form: 24433/1-

(8)

Kitsune Power¹⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| D

33/1

Progressed quite well at 3 but he had just one creditable effort to show from his 6 outings for Roger Varian last season. Has changed hands ahead of reappearance.

Form: 930705-

(5)

Wintercrack¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S A Gray| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 78| D

7/2

Underlined how well she handles slow ground when striking on her 1m Pontefract reappearance 16 days ago. Just as effective over this trip and should remain competitive up 6 lb.

Form: 63652-1

(7)

Bushfire¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Joanna Mason| T: G Tutty| OR: 70| D

11/1

3/1, creditable third of 6 in handicap at Pontefract (1¼m, heavy) on reappearance 16 days ago but he might find the odd one too strong in this higher grade.

Form: 31850-3

Forecasts

Stressfree (2/1), Wintercrack (7/2), Maxi King (5/1), Karmology (5/1), Knockbrex (8/1), Bushfire (11/1), Cockalorum (28/1), Kitsune Power (33/1)

STRESSFREE found only another lightly-raced improver too strong on his Doncaster return and can continue his steady progression for the David O'Meara yard and go one better now. Like the selection, Wintercrack arrives fit from a good reappearance and is suited to deep ground so she's second choice ahead of unexposed Karl Burke handicap newcomer Karmology.