in touch, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
slowly into stride, held up behind, effort well over 1f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
chased winner, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, always held
Mandurah is holding his form well and gets the nod over Timber Treasure and Wotashirtfull in this tight sprint handicap. Wotashirtfull has been the model of consistency and fully deserved to get his head in front at Newcastle 12 days ago. However, he now faces a stiff test against older horses on these terms and he needs everything to fall into place for him. Timber Treasure is also penalised for last week's success at Haydock, where he comfortably justified market support in winning by three lengths. This is a tougher ask and, even thought the former Henry Cecil inmate is in the form of his life, he was no match for the selection when they met back at Haydock month and, on a literal reading of that form, he needs to pull something out of the hat. Therefore, it can pay to stick with Mandurah, whose trainer excels in races of this nature and has enjoyed a 19% strike-rate at Ripon so far this season.
Timber Treasure (USA) 10-3fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, led approaching 1f out, kept on well, won at Haydock 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Steel Blue (8-9) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Highland Warrior 20-1 (8-13) Switched right soon after start, ridden and headway on inside 2f out, ran on well to chase winner close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Crimson Fern (9-1) at Sandown 5f hcap (4) gs.
Wotashirtfull (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Newcastle 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs beating Kyzer Chief (8-9) by 1l, 8 ran.
Windjammer 6-1 (9-12) With leaders until no extra final furlong, 10th of 15, 8l behind Kings College Boy (8-10) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Mandurah (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 3l behind Opal Noir (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcap (5) gf.
Fast Freddie 15-2 (9-0) Prominent, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 22l behind Equuleus Pictor (8-11) at Yarmouth 5f hcap (5) sft in May.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 11th of 14, 9l behind Bid For Gold (9-6) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Never Without Me 25-1 (8-6) In touch, kept on final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Namir (9-1) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.