UK Horse Racing Tips: Ripon

Valley Of Flowers was an encouraging runner-up at Beverley on her reappearance and is likely to prove popular here along with The Resdev Way, who only found one too good at Wetherby last time. The booking of Serena Brotherton catches the eye on Jamih, who is better than he showed at Thirsk last time in a race which signalled a return to form of HER WAY. The latter finished an encouraging fourth that day and could take some pegging back if adopting the same forcing tactics.
Prediction : 1st Her Way 2nd Valley Of Flowers 3rd Jamih

All three previous winners, East Bank, Professor Tickle and Catton Lady have plenty to recommend them, but the unpenalised BARG may prove too good on this occasion in receipt of weight. Karl Burke's colt, whose price more than doubled from foal to yearling, shaped like a sure-fire future winner when a keeping on third of 14 on his recent debut over this trip at Thirsk and he can put that experience to good use.
Prediction : 1st Barg 2nd East Bank 3rd Professor Tickle

Hurstwood probably ran better than ever when notching a third C&D success last time out but a 7lb rise might just prove too much to overcome, given that Indian Sounds goes unpenalised for a decisive success in an apprentices' event at Pontefract last week, albeit over 5f. Claim The Stars also brings winning form to the table but any value may lie with the well-handicapped C&D winner WOODLANDS CHARM, who bounced back to form when a runner-up at Catterick recently.
Prediction : 1st Woodlands Charm 2nd Indian Sounds 3rd Hurstwood

Hyperfocus struck in the Silver Sprint at this track last time and he is likely to be bang there once more, as he only goes off a 2lb higher rating. However, he could play second fiddle to IT JUST TAKES TIME, who had Twelfth Knight (second) behind last time over C&D in a class 3 event. The five-year-old is fancied to make it three out of his last four for the Mark Walford yard. Significantly is of interest wearing first-time cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st It Just Takes Time 2nd Hyperfocus 3rd Significantly

GREEK GIANT has to carry 6lb extra for his latest success at Brighton in a classified stakes. The son of Teofilo looks to have found a golden opportunity to go in again and bring the treble up for the in-form Ed Dunlop stable. The main danger might be Lough Leane, who was beaten under a length in this grade at Yarmouth on his latest outing and he could have a say off 1lb higher. Edwina Sheeran could get involved if she produces the form of her penultimate run.
Prediction : 1st Greek Giant 2nd Lough Leane 3rd Edwina Sheeran

Sir Jock Bennett and Rievaulx Raver both arrive in winning form, although the former only had three rivals to beat at Haydock and the latter had to share the spoils here. Sir Michael Stoute doesn't have too many runners at Ripon so it is perhaps significant that he sends FALCON NINE north, and the well-related son of Ulysses has been freshened up since his handicap debut fourth at Newcastle. Blueflagflyinghigh might be able to play a part too.
Prediction : 1st Falcon Nine 2nd Blueflagflyinghigh 3rd Sir Jock Bennett

The money arrived for BARROLO ahead of his seasonal/handicap debut over C&D and he didn't disappoint, coming home a length and a half clear of Ribkana. There is likely to be much more to come from the Grant Tuer-trained grey and he can follow up. Bernie The Bear has occupied the runner-up berth on each of his last two outings and he can fight it out with Beverley runner-up Girl From Italy for that position here.
Prediction : 1st Barrolo 2nd Bernie The Bear 3rd Girl From Italy