15:25 Ripon

Monday 27 August 2018

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Billy Nevett Memorial Handicap

Off time: 15:28 | Winning time: 1m 12.67s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Daffy Jane²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S De Sousa| T: N Tinkler| OR: 80| CD

7/4

Has enjoyed a really good summer, winning three of her last five, including over C&D. Does not appear to be ground dependant. 5lb rise will ask more of her, but she is entitled to make the short list again.

Form: 316121

(1)

Militia²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80| BF| D

5/2

2-4 this season, winning at Thirsk (5f, good to firm) and Ayr (6f, good), both from 3lb lower. Was probably outclassed last time at Goodwood, but back at this level he looks to have strong claims, and his prominent style of racing should also suit.

Form: 33-1210

(4)

Areen Faisal^t²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: D O'Meara| OR: 79| D

16/1

Scored over this trip at Pontefract (good to soft) last season, when with Richard Fahey. Unable to add to that in five starts this year, but ran to the same level when beaten 1¾L at Doncaster last month. Drops 1lb here but a bit more needed.

Form: 0-40946

(5)

Zumurud²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 79| D

25/1

Ended his time with Charlie Hills last year with a win over this trip at Leicester, and dropped back successfully to a stiff 5f at Pontefract for this trainer in July (good to firm), when 2lb lower. Bit to prove, however, after his last two runs.

Form: 1-63185

(9)

Symposing^t1³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77

14/1

Scored at Wetherby in May on his second start (7f, good to soft) in a novice event. Bettered that in defeat under a penalty, but his three handicap runs so far suggest that, even with another 2lb drop here, he is up against it.

Form: 136756

(8)

Porchy Party^v1²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 75

6/1

Won two 5f nurseries when there was cut in the ground last year, but with the exception of his reappearance at Chester in May, he has been below that level in handicaps this term. Cheekpieces swapped for visor here. Well treated if he can revive.

Form: 5-30930

(6)

Shortbackandsides⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Robert Dodsworth⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 63| BF

8/1

0-10 so far. Went close at Pontefract (6f, soft) in May, when 1lb higher, and not beaten far from this mark at Leicester on his debut for this trainer who starts ago. Disappointed in amateurs' race last time, but interesting with 7lb claimed.

Form: 298430

(2)

Me Before You¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: S A Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 63| CD

16/1

Won a fast-ground C&D handicap in May, when 5lb lower and also ran well back here from 2lb higher, in a race won by Daffy Jane last month. Bit to prove after her last two runs, but clearly likes it here, so can't rule her out.

Form: 250235

(7)

Kavora²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Lauren Steade⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 61

40/1

Went close to winning a Lingfield seller (6f, AW) for George Baker in June. Comfortably/well held in all three runs for this trainer. Mark beginning to look more realistic now, so check the market, but probably one to watch again.

Form: 5-2664

Forecasts

Daffy Jane (7/4), Militia (5/2), Porchy Party (6/1), Shortbackandsides (8/1), Symposing (14/1), Me Before You (16/1), Areen Faisal (16/1), Zumurud (25/1), Kavora (40/1)

Several in here with claims. Daffy Jane has found a fair bit of improvement this season and is not dismissed despite another 5lb rise, and if considering her, then Me Before You (who goes well here) cannot be ruled out given that she is a stone better off with Nigel Tinkler's filly for 1¾L here last month. However, if you can forgive him his latest run in better company at Goodwood, then MILITIA could be the one for today. The son of Equiano is 2-4 this season, unexposed over this trip, and his prominent style of racing suits this venue. Shortbackandsides looks the Tim Easterby second string on jockey bookings, but he appears the more interesting of the pair.