The draw has added an extra layer of complication to the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon on Saturday as Blackrod and Summerghand, the front two in the early betting, have been handed stalls one and three, respectively.
Both have definite claims on form but no horse has won from three or lower this century and 18 of the 22 winners since 2000 were in double-figure stalls.
Front-runners that grab the stands’ rail can be very tough to pass over six furlongs at Ripon and Emperor Spirit (2.50) has an excellent pitch in 13 to attack from the off. He had no chance from a wide draw at Chester last time, but his two-length second at Ascot in early July is strong form and Archie Watson’s gelding is definitely worth an interest at around 10-1.
Newbury 1.20: The bare form of General Lee’s 10th of 16 at Goodwood last time is not encouraging but he was returning from a four-month break and did not get any luck in running. He is 1lb lower here and promising claimer Mohammed Tabti takes off another 7lb.
Ripon 1.40: Keith Dalgleish rarely has his juveniles pin-sharp first time up and Prince Of Pillo was only his second winner from 60 two-year-old debutants since July 2019. At around 3-1, he is a decent bet to progress further and remain unbeaten.
Newbury 1.55: Victory Dance was a close second at Group Two level last time but looks too short here with unbeaten Candle Of Hope in the line-up. His four-and-a-half length success in a strong time at Thirsk in July gives him a big chance at around 4-1 against the odds-on favourite.
Chelmsford: 1.25 Street Poet, 2.00 Miss Blennerhasset, 2.35 Peggoty, 3.10 Aramis Grey, 3.45 Copperplate, 4.20 Dors Toyboy, 4.55 Star Of St Louis.
Pontefract: 1.50 Russet Gold, 2.25 Wor Willie (nap), 3.00 Gale Force Maya (nb), 3.35 Ikhtiraaq, 4.10 Grimsby Town, 4.45 Three Start, 5.20 Macho Pride.
Southwell: 2.08 Hoots Toots, 2.43 Miss New York, 3.18 Variety Island, 3.53 Badri, 4.28 Mumcat, 5.03 Marwari, 5.33 World Without Love.
Newmarket 2.10: Atlantis found plenty of improvement on her handicap debut at Doncaster last month and won with something to spare. She is up another 9lb in the weights as a result but she is bred to appreciate this step up to 14 furlongs and that should help John and Thady’s Gosden’s filly to bridge the gap.
Newbury 2.30: Away He Goes is back at a more suitable level after finishing around 11 lengths behind Kyprios at Group One level in July.
Newbury 3.00: Clive Cox has won the last two renewals of this handicap and Dance Fever looks primed to complete the trainer’s hat-trick.
Lingfield Park
1.00 Pablo Prince
1.30 Lark Lane
2.00 Rainbow Sign
2.30 Jilly Cooper (nb)
3.00 Jade Country
3.30 Micks Spirit (nap)
Catterick Bridge
1.50 Irv
2.20 Kodade
2.50 Rain Cap
3.20 Magical Effect
3.55 Safran
4.25 Remembering
4.55 King Crimson
Windsor
4.50 Tribal Wisdom
5.20 Foreseeable Future
5.50 Ancestral Land
6.20 Brazen Idol
6.50 La Roca del Fuego
7.20 Elena’s Gift
7.50 Pride Of Nepal
Bangor-On-Dee
5.10 Presentandcounting
5.40 Bempton Cliffs
6.10 Shareef Star
6.40 Francky Du Berlais
7.10 Aviewtosea
7.40 Elham Valley
8.15 Malina Ocarina
Newmarket 3.18: Come On Girl has the best recent form and looks like the most solid option in this handicap restricted to greys.
Newbury 3.35: Early odds of around 12-1 about Dubai Poet catch the eye here. Roger Varian’s colt has hinted at Group-class ability several times in his seven races to date and put up a new career best to finish third – over this specialist seven-furlong trip – in the Jersey at Royal Ascot in June.
