UK Horse Racing Tips: Ripon

William Haggas boasts a great record at this track and his AL AAKIF is expected to build on his 5f debut victory at Nottingham and improve for this extra furlong to notch a double. Silver Mission should be all the wiser for the experience gained on debut at Carlisle and could feasibly take closer order, while any money for his debuting stablemate, National League, would be notable. Penalised Wetherby winner Coastal Mist is feared most, however.
Prediction : 1st Al Aakif 2nd Coastal Mist 3rd Silver Mission

THE DEFIANT has returned in fine heart this year, winning on three of his four starts, including over 5f at Thirsk earlier this month. An 8lb rise in the ratings demands more of Paul Midgley's charge but the stable excel with their sprinters and there is likely better to come from him. Penalised Thirsk winner Dancing Rave drops back from 6f and is considered the main danger ahead of Ginvincible, who is moving back out of novice company.
Prediction : 1st The Defiant 2nd Dancing Rave 3rd Ginvincible

Agravain backed up his 1m6f victory at Redcar with a 1m4f success at Beverley last time, though he's now moving into 0-80 company and will need to take another step up. Preference is for FAYLAQ, who is entitled to come on for his reappearance spin in a Chester maiden and could appreciate this longer trip on his handicap bow. Battle Of Wills struck off 6lb lower over 1m2f at Nottingham recently and could also take a hand.
Prediction : 1st Faylaq 2nd Agravain 3rd Battle Of Wills

UMMALNAR was highly regarded last season by connections, was sent off favourite for a Listed race in France where she suffered her first defeat, and an opening mark of 91 might underestimate her ability as she makes her handicap debut. Mulligatawny has won his last two starts at Ayr and Musselburgh so could have further improvement to come, while others to respect include Harbour Breeze, Dutch Uncle and Borodin.
Prediction : 1st Ummalnar 2nd Mulligatawny 3rd Harbour Breeze

NEVADA has been in good form throughout 2019, despite not getting his head in front, and the son of Proclamation can get back to winning ways despite creeping up the weights. Thorntoun Care (first) got the better of Earthly (second) and Iolani (third) when the trio met at Haydock earlier this month and they are all entitled to be in the mix once again, while Lafilia could benefit from a set of first-time cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Nevada 2nd Thorntoun Care 3rd Earthly

NINJAGO claimed his first win since August 2017 in a seller at Thirsk earlier this month and could strike again off just 3lb higher for Paul Midgley. The nine-year-old may not need to improve much to score again here and could have too much pace for Tadaany, who might need a bigger field and stronger pace, and Shortbackandsides, whose last victory came at this track off just 2lb lower in August last year.
Prediction : 1st Ninjago 2nd Tadaany 3rd Shortbackandsides

STONE COUGAR kept galloping to the line when third on ground with some juice in it at Beverley last month and lost nothing in defeat when filling the same position over this trip at Brighton on Tuesday. She could take a further step forward for Mark Johnston and looks the type to win races off an unchanged mark of 57. The three-year-old makes greater appeal than Gold Arch, who wears cheekpieces but has a little to prove on turf, and Kensington Art, who drops in class but might not want this sort of trip at this stage of his career.
Prediction : 1st Stone Cougar 2nd Gold Arch 3rd Kensington Art

Rich Cummins has finished second in four of his last five starts and connections now reach for first-time blinkers as well as dropping him in distance, while Ritchie Star ran a career best when second at Carlisle last month and should be suited by this step up in trip. Marginal preference, though, is for handicap debutant THEATRO. Third behind the 105-rated Surfman at Newcastle before outrunning big odds here last month, he can strike off an opening mark of 58.
Prediction : 1st Theatro 2nd Rich Cummins 3rd Ritchie Star