slowly into stride, behind, reminders halfway, never a factor
made all, shaken up over 1f out, ridden out final furlong
towards rear, soon outpaced, never dangerous
in touch, ridden along halfway, one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong
dwelt, outpaced, soon chased along, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
This is not the best of races to start off a decent card at Ripon but George Moore's El Portet showed that he handles cut in the ground when a close second in this grade at Catterick recently, should not be inconvenienced by the drop back in trip and is well treated so he gets the vote ahead of Bold Account and Nchike. The last mentioned has run better since being dropped into selling races in his last few starts and David Nicholls' gelding has more solid claims than Mick Channon's Conakry, who has given little sign of encouragement in his four starts. Tim Easterby's Sale Or Return returns into a seller having been well held in maidens in his last two starts and could be of interest but a bigger threat is likely to come from Bold Account. Karl Burke's colt showed improved form when chasing home Simple Rhythm at Yarmouth last time and he has to be respected on that evidence. El Portet has solid claims though and he gets the vote.
Any Luck (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 11, 36l behind Dougie Peel (8-11) at Catterick 7f 2yo sll (6) gs.
Bold Account (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, soon outpaced, chased winner final furlong, stayed on well, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Simple Rhythm (8-8) at Yarmouth 6f 2yo clm (6) gs.
Conakry 12-1 (8-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 22l behind Smalljohn (9-5) at Thirsk 7f 2yo clm (4) gs.
El Portet 8-1 (8-8) Dwelt and towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dougie Peel (8-11) at Catterick 7f 2yo sll (6) gs.
Nchike 7-1 (8-11) In touch, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 8l behind Dougie Peel (8-11) at Catterick 7f 2yo sll (6) gs.
Royal Premium 200-1 (9-0) With leader, ridden and lost place over 1f out, no impression when edged left inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 7th of 13, 9l behind Needwood Lad (9-3) at Newcastle 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) sft.
Look For Value 100-1 (8-4) Chased leaders stands side, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 7l behind More Than Many (8-10) at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn auc (4) gs.
Sale Or Return (IRE) 50-1 (8-1) Always rear division, 9th of 12, 13l behind Riotista (8-4) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jul.
