15:55 Ripon

Saturday 20 July 2024

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 2m 35.78s

(5)

Sea King^b¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 99| CD

5/1

Made a winning reappearance in C&D handicap in the mud and having found the Duke of Edinburgh too much he scored again at Ayr (13f) in first-time blinkers recently. Career-high mark but respected.

Form: 104-101

(7)

Fox Journey⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: O J Orr| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 98| D

15/2

Well ridden when running out a comfortable winner from the front at Newmarket over this trip on return in May. Well held in stronger races since but this is easier and he could go well if getting a lead.

Form: 334-107

(10)

Mr Alan^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: P Cosgrave| T: G Boughey| OR: 97

12/1

Nottingham winner in a light 2023 campaign. Has shaped as if in better form than the bare result might suggest in 2 runs this year and of interest, more so if rain comes.

Form: 6127-48

(4)

Shadow Dance²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 93| D

7/4

Made good strides in first season, impressing when successful at Haydock (11.6f) in September. Smashing second in Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket over this trip on final start and looked rusty on return at Royal Ascot having been gelded. This is easier and bold bid coming.

Form: 23412-0

(2)

Loyal Touch⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 91

15/2

Steadily progressive this year and scored on turf for just the second time at Chester last month. Shaped as if still in good form in last week's John Smith's Cup at York with a late rattle past a few and this longer trip should suit on breeding.

Form: 720150

(3)

Iron Lion²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| BF| D

6/1

Back on the up when scoring at Haydock in June over this trip and backed it up with a creditable fifth at Ayr last time. Probably high enough in the weights now but would be interesting with more cut in the ground.

Form: 7-31615

(6)

Mr Curiosity³⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 90| BF| CD

12/1

Took this on his third run back last year and held his form after. Record fresh isn't great but local yard targets this race and no surprise to see a prominent showing.

Form: 315466-

(1)

Lord Protector²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 90

33/1

Poor in a useful Newcastle handicap last time but good efforts before that and won off higher last season for Ralph Beckett. Stamina doubts.

Form: 0-80229

(8)

Machete⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: S A Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 88

22/1

Shaped well on debut for this yard when fourth in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar in May although yet to build on that. Well treated on pick of his French form and just the sort David O'Meara will find the key to at some point.

Form: 49-4070

Non-Runners

(9)

L'astronome⁷²

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: H Palmer J: P Mulrennan

Forecasts

Shadow Dance (7/4), Sea King (5/1), Iron Lion (6/1), Fox Journey (15/2), Loyal Touch (15/2), Mr Alan (12/1), Mr Curiosity (12/1), L'astronome (20/1), Machete (22/1), Lord Protector (33/1)

SHADOW DANCE looked rusty on his comeback at Royal Ascot and has to be worth another chance given the fine progress he made in 2023. Last year's winner Mr Curiosity is a player for his local trainer who targets this handicap. Fox Journey and C&D winner Sea King are other contenders from Newmarket to note.