UK Horse Racing Tips: Ripon

GIN GEMBRE, who performed well on debut at Windsor, was only beaten a short head at Beverley last time and can make it third time lucky. Birkenhead was successful on the Westwood and was slightly unfortunate when third here last month, short of room at a vital moment. Mick Channon's youngster is now tried in a visor and has to be considered, with Archie Watson's Brighton second Paper Star also of interest.
Prediction : 1st Gin Gembre 2nd Birkenhead 3rd Paper Star

It is hard to oppose Archie Watson's IZVESTIA, who is comfortably the highest rated in the race and has plenty in her favour on these terms. The Battle Of Marengo filly should find this much easier than the Toulouse Listed race she took part in last time and has some respectable two-year-old form. Al Mortajaz is in the early stages of life with Adrian Nicholls and could figure, while Amity Island could step up in first-time blinkers.
Prediction : 1st Izvestia 2nd Al Mortajaz 3rd Amity Island

DARK DEFENDER (fifth) shaped with lots of promise when a couple of places behind Sheepscar Lad (third) at Thirsk 11 days ago. That was his debut for Rebecca Bastiman and first outing since September, so he might improve past the latter en route to landing the spoils. Queens Gift ended last season with a slightly disappointing effort but her three-year-old campaign was a big success on the whole. Stepping up from 5f will help her.
Prediction : 1st Dark Defender 2nd Sheepscar Lad 3rd Queens Gift

ACCLAIM THE NATION posted a number of solid efforts on the all-weather over the winter and returned from an 80-day break to finish runner-up at Bath three weeks ago. This softer ground will be no problem for him and, with further improvement not beyond the realms of possibility, he rates the one to beat. Canford Bay has been running consistently well, winning over C&D two runs ago, and rates the biggest threat ahead of the top-rated Boom The Groom.
Prediction : 1st Acclaim The Nation 2nd Canford Bay 3rd Boom The Groom

IN TRUTINA only found a more experienced rival too good when making a promising debut at Thirsk 11 days ago and could claim quick compensation for the in-form Archie Watson. The Firebreak filly can prove too strong for Victory Day, who likely has more to offer after just two career starts for William Haggas, and Abate, who finished ahead of In Trutina's conqueror at Pontefract four weeks ago on stable debut for Adrian Nicholls.
Prediction : 1st In Trutina 2nd Victory Day 3rd Abate

Attention Seaker makes her first outing for 556 days on the Flat but could still be fairly treated off a mark of 70 for Tim Easterby, while Ingleby Hollow drops in class and should appreciate this step up to 2m. The most solid option, though, is SO NEAR SO FARHH. Fast ground at Pontefract last month may not have been her optimum conditions but she returns to a more suitable terrain now for Mick Channon and can continue her progression.
Prediction : 1st So Near So Farhh 2nd Ingleby Hollow 3rd Attention Seaker