UK Horse Racing Tips: Ripon

There was a good word for SONIC BLUE prior to his Doncaster debut and he didn't disappoint. What he actually achieved there remains to be seen, but the performance was good enough for connections to aim him at the National Stakes, only for soft ground to rule him out of that Sandown assignment. Loom was fancied for a good race at York, although the chief threat could come from the unraced brigade, of which Art Design and Marshman's expensive half-brother Artagnan make most appeal.
Prediction : 1st Sonic Blue 2nd Artagnan 3rd Art Design

MANHATTAN MIRAGE pushed the smart Balmacara to a head at Doncaster and probably performed to at least the same level when seventh in a traditionally strong maiden at the Craven meeting. Gelded since, it doesn't need to improve him too much. Golden Strike made it second-time lucky with the minimum of fuss at Ayr but, like surprise York runner-up Elegant Call, he lacks a competitive outing in 2024. Dark Sun also reappears, after wind surgery and in a first-time tongue-tie.
Prediction : 1st Manhattan Mirage 2nd Golden Strike 3rd Dark Sun

MAKALU didn't get the best of runs over C&D recently, but James Sullivan didn't panic and eventually produced Ruth Carr's five-year-old to get up close home. Considering his checkered passage, a 2lb rise might underestimate the merit of that performance, and he has won off much higher marks in the past. Saisons D'Or was rewarded for some fine efforts in defeat with a Catterick victory and he heads a list of dangers that also includes Garden Oasis, Little Ted and Star Shield.
Prediction : 1st Makalu 2nd Saisons DOr 3rd Garden Oasis

INTERNATIONAL GIRL finished fourth despite her wide trip in a class 3 event over C&D last month and she was dropped 1lb. Richard Fahey's mare takes a drop in grade and can get her head back in front, with Twelfth Knight, who wasn't disgraced in fifth at Thirsk last time, put forward as the main danger. Of the remainder, Bay Breeze makes the most appeal.
Prediction : 1st International Girl 2nd Twelfth Knight 3rd Bay Breeze

Herakles has been running well of late, including when third in this grade at Beverley last month, and he should remain competitive off an unchanged mark. However, the vote goes to BETWEENTHESTICKS, who finished midfield in a class 4 event at Windsor recently and was dropped 3lb. The handicapper seems to have given him a chance and he looks the one to beat. Street Life returns to the handicap ranks and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Betweenthesticks 2nd Herakles 3rd Street Life

GEORGIE WOOSTER put his three underwhelming efforts in novice/maiden company well behind him when accounting for his nearest rival by just over a length on his handicap debut at Redcar last time. Tim Easterby's three-year-old is only 6lb higher and rates the one to beat. Angel Of The Bay filled the runner-up spot over 7f at Redcar on his latest outing and is likely to be on the premises off the same mark. Of the remainder, Curious Mrs Fox makes the most appeal.
Prediction : 1st Georgie Wooster 2nd Angel Of The Bay 3rd Curious Mrs Fox