15:20 Ripon

Saturday 29 April 2017

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

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Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 1m 10.2s

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(10)

Orion's Bow²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 105

12/1

In tremendous form last season for David Nicholls, winning five off the reel, four at this trip, to rise 34lb in the ratings. Well beaten in the Ayr Gold Cup from 1lb higher when last seen and has always need at least one run to be at fever pitch.

Form: 11280-6

(1)

Intisaab^p²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Shelley Birkett⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 105

17/2

CV shows a story of improvement throughout the past couple of seasons and finished last season by picking up his best prize yet over this trip at York. Raised 5lb for that, but may still be capable of more. Market check strongly advised, though has never yet won when fresh.

Form: 22041-1

(8)

Above The Rest^h²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: P Makin| T: T D Barron| OR: 101

11/1

Raised 9lb for finishing last season with a 7L win at Chepstow (7f, good to soft). Back up in grade today and was competitive at this level last season without being able to win, which has to a concern from a punter's perspective.

Form: 23501-4

(9)

Out Do^v²¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 99

14/1

Last win was in Listed company at York in 2015 and now 10lb lower. However, has not often been competitive since, even in this grade. Has twice won when fresh, so a market check would be prudent.

Form: 30707-3

(2)

Right Touch¹⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Adam J McNamara⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 99

14/1

Six of his seven wins have been at this trip (also has one over 7f), including one over C&D. 4lb higher than his best winning effort and has already proved to be very competitive when making the frame twice from today's mark. Each-way claims.

Form: 206703-

(5)

Pipers Note²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 99

13/2

Loves it here with four C&D wins to his name, including this race in 2015 from today's mark. Recent pipe-opener was in Listed company when he made the frame and stable has begun turf campaign well, so he looks likely to have a big say again today.

Form: 1949-38

(12)

Muntadab²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 95

4/1

After wins from 7f-1m2f, he showed his versatility by landing a similar big-field Doncaster handicap over this trip in October. 5lb higher for this run after a good reappearance back at Town Moor and with a stands side draw looking positive, he is one of the more likely winners.

Form: 4001-22

(6)

Venturous²⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: P Mulrennan| T: T D Barron| OR: 94

14/1

Former Godolphin-owned and won a couple of races over this trip in 2015 but struggled to show his best on all but perhaps his first start last season. Gelded and left Charlie Appleby since. Trainer more than capable of readying one first time and would be interesting if supported.

Form: 38407-0

(13)

Distant Past⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: S A Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 92

33/1

All seven career wins have been over 5f and has yet to convince when tried over this distance. In good form when last seen over the minimum at Southwell in February, though percentage call looks to take him on.

Form: 1-55203

(3)

Red Pike¹¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: B Smart| OR: 92

9/1

Specialist over this trip, though you have to go back to August 2015 to find his last win and has had plenty of chances since. Has yet to win a class two event and given the competitive nature of this it takes a leap of faith to see him rewriting that stat here.

Form: 06584-7

(11)

Reputation^v¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 92

20/1

Won a Leicester handicap over this trip from 7lb lower in August and when close from 1lb lower last time. Held when stepped up to this grade on his two most recent starts and is going to need to improve to win this.

Form: 5120-50

(4)

Rasheeq¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 91

66/1

Won a 6f Southwell maiden in 2015 but seen only five times since and has clearly had issues, as was off the track for 18 months and changed yards before recent reappearance run at Beverley. Can't really say that he is exposed from a form perspective just yet and a market check is advised.

Form: 3304/80

(7)

George Bowen²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90

9/2

All four wins have been at this trip, though hasn't got his nose in front for 19 months now. Should be capable from this mark and interesting that he went off joint-favourite last time, despite being comfortably held. Not ruled out.

Form: 0655-09

Forecasts

Muntadab (4/1), George Bowen (9/2), Pipers Note (13/2), Intisaab (17/2), Red Pike (9/1), Above The Rest (11/1), Orion's Bow (12/1), Out Do (14/1), Right Touch (14/1), Venturous (14/1), Reputation (20/1), Distant Past (33/1), Rasheeq (66/1)

George Bowen ought to be capable of landing a blow here and a win would not be a huge surprise, though it is competitive enough and with a strong pace likely it could go to MUNTADAB, who proved that he has the pace for this in recent runs and should be running right through the line. Pipers Note is feared as a former winner of the contest and back on the same mark today, while Out Do and Right Touch are others who should be involved at the business end.