Fine Form
Recent rain can help
Goyard RI – 4.13
return to winning ways in the second division of the Ripon Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse Handicap.
David O’Meara’s sprinter looked a really promising type this time last season but has not progressed quite as expected.
Owned by Brighton footballer Georginio Rutter, he hit the back of the net twice at Ripon in July and August, when perhaps crucially there was cut in the ground both times.
He made a satisfactory return to action at Pontefract in June from a mark of 82, however, he has failed to trouble the judge since.
It has of course, been one of the hottest summers on record so the ground has been quick but with the weather changing in recent days, he should be at home on the slower surface.
With a bit of relief from the handicapper also, back down to a mark of 77, he is once again of interest given his liking for the unique course.
It took
Roman Crystal RI – 3.10
a while to break her duck but now she has found the winning groove she could follow up in the 21 Engineer Regiment Sapper Nursery Handicap.
Mick and David Easterby’s filly had faced some quite stiff tasks, including against Gimcrack winner Arapaho Gold at Thirsk, so it was no surprise she failed to win initially.
However, over six furlongs at Ayr she made all and won pretty comfortably from a 70-rated runner-up and she may have more to come.
James Tate’s
Empress Princess RI – 2.40
can go one better than on debut in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.
Having cost €100,000 as a yearling, the Jaber Abdullah-owned filly needed to show something on her first appearance and it was a promising run.
The No Nay Never filly was beaten just over a length at Beverley by the unbeaten Not My Type and she is entitled to come forward a good deal from that.
Regally Blonde RI – 5.18
won the Wakeman Stayers Handicap on this card 12 months ago off a 6lb higher mark and looks to have a good opportunity to repeat the feat under 3lb claimer Jack Nicholls.
Ben Case’s seven-year-old has struggled to get his head in front since but showed he retains his ability with a battling success over two miles on the all-weather at Lingfield 15 days ago.
Back at the scene of his win last year and in a race without standout opposition he can go in again.
If
London Is Blue BR – 4.06
can get away on terms in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Supporting UK Racing Handicap at Brighton, he must have a good chance.
Having won a couple last season connections will have hoped he developed into a reasonable performer this term, and while he has finished second twice, he has also had some trouble in the stalls.
There were only three others last time and while he seemed to break on terms, he soon found himself at the back before running on into second.
There is no doubt the ability still remains.
Storm Force LI – 2.50
looked above average when winning at Southwell on his delayed reappearance and can go in again in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Novice Stakes at Lingfield.
Wathnan went to 230,000 guineas to secure him last year but it looked expensive when he was beaten at odds-on on his debut at Hamilton.
That was last May, though, suggesting something went wrong and he looked a different proposition on his first run for 445 days recently.
A repeat of that effort would make him tough to oppose.
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