13:55 Ripon

Leg 1 Selections: Swingalong 

SWINGALONG wasn’t suited to the way the race panned out at Newbury and didn’t get the clearest of runs either but she stayed on nicely to take fourth. The form has received a welcome boost since too, as the winner followed-up in a Group Three last week. This is an easier opportunity, so with more to come for the Karl Burke team who took this race three years ago, she can open her account under Sam James in leg one. 

14:25 Ripon

Leg 2 Selections: Ballistic Berry, Imperial Khan 

BALLISTIC BERRY was making her handicap debut when second in first-time cheekpieces at Musselburgh last-time-out and despite going up three pounds, she may be capable of going one better with improvement anticipated. I wouldn’t rule out IMPERIAL KHAN though, who ran well to finish third at Hamilton last time despite racing keenly and, if able to settle better here, he could go close with Jason Watson in the saddle. 

14:55 Ripon

Leg 3 Selections: Blistering Barney 

This race isn’t the strongest of events for the grade and I like the look of one runner in particular. BLISTERING BARNEY has quite a consistent profile overall and having opened his account for the year in good style at Nottingham back in May, he ran well to finish third behind two major improvers off top-weight when last spotted. I think this race is easier and he may prove too strong for his rivals if able to back up that performance dropped in grade here for leg three.

15:25 Ripon

Leg 4 Selections: Dakota Gold 

DAKOTA GOLD has a monster weight to carry here but he’s the class act in the field, who’s rated eight pounds clear of these and both himself and his trainer are in great form too. He rolled back the years to win at York in this grade back in May and ran well when second at Newcastle last time. He has won over this course-and-distance in the past and has claimed various Listed/Group events during his fabulous career. This ultra-tough eight-year-old sprinter remains well-treated on historical form and is a big player. 

15:55 Ripon

Leg 5 Selections: Qaasid, Dungar Glory 

QAASID hasn’t been able to land a blow in three starts this season but he shaped better than the result indicated at Beverley last time and, off a two pounds lower mark here, he could go well at large odds. DUNGAR GLORY hasn’t had many attempts at this trip, so it’s worth another go given how well she finished her race last time to finish sixth from a poor position. She isn’t really progressing, but this race is wide-open and this filly cannot be discounted in leg five. 

16:25 Ripon

Leg 6 Selections: Roach Power 

Leg six can go to ROACH POWER, who I know has found his last two starts too difficult, but he still brings solid form-lines into this race and will appreciate the ease in grade too. The drop in trip shouldn’t pose a problem, as he has showed a lot of pace and ran well on his sole visit to this course back in May. He is rated well clear of these and should have little difficulty getting off the mark in leg six.