UK Horse Racing Tips: Ripon

Plenty in with chances in the opener and TROJAN SOLDIER just edges it given he showed his battling qualities to gain a deserved success on the all-weather at Southwell last time. Going back up in trip shouldn't be a problem and he was performing well on turf this time last year, so switching to the grass shouldn't inconvenience him either. Rupert The Prince is a model of consistency and joins Scottish Dancer and No More Bolero on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Trojan Soldier 2nd Rupert The Prince 3rd Scottish Dancer

BAI TONG couldn't land a telling blow on debut at Thirsk but is entitled to have improved from that effort and could be worth another chance for a yard known for having winning juveniles at this time of year. Redcar fifth Cheeky Chesca boasts a similar profile to the selection and is one to note, but the main danger is The Can Can Queen following her creditable Beverley display.
Prediction : 1st Bai Tong 2nd The Can Can Queen 3rd Cheeky Chesca

The Cookstown Cafu commands close attention on the back of his all-weather success at Newcastle, while similar sentiments apply to Musselburgh winner Spirit Catcher. FINLAGGAN makes most appeal, though, on the basis that he improved markedly on his handicap debut at Pontefract, when finishing a neck second, and is likely to have a lot more to come. The booking of Cieren Fallon suggests connections are confident.
Prediction : 1st Finlaggan 2nd The Cookstown Cafu 3rd Spirit Catcher

Alpine Girl showed her appreciation for the return to turf when going in over 5f at Pontefract and she is just as effective at this trip. Saffron Dandy and Lebron Power give Richard Hannon a decent hand, while Powdering has slipped to 1lb below her last winning mark. Space Bear arrives in good form, but SHALLOW was only just denied at Yarmouth by a mare who went on to make the frame in Group 3 company and Richard Spencer's five-year-old probably meets nothing of that calibre here.
Prediction : 1st Shallow 2nd Alpine Girl 3rd Powdering

Ralph Beckett is usually worth following when he sends one to Ripon so the hint must be taken with ZEN DIVA. The daughter of Sergei Prokofiev let down favourite-backers on her final two appearances as a juvenile, but she lost little in defeat and can get off the mark in first-time cheekpieces. The others with experience don't inspire much confidence so it may be a newcomer who puts up the biggest fight, with 420,000gns Ardad filly Black Orchid obviously the most interesting. Kyrenia is worth a second glance.
Prediction : 1st Zen Diva 2nd Black Orchid 3rd Kyrenia

ARRANMORE has been in fine fettle on Tapeta, finding only one too good when attempting to complete a Southwell double. A 1lb rise isn't ideal given his age and, therefore, lack of scope for improvement, but he is the only runner who arrives in good form. Fellow veteran Ring Of Gold has also been holding his own on the all-weather, although he has never managed to win on turf. Oilisa, Woodleigh and Barleybrown may be the bigger threats.
Prediction : 1st Arranmore 2nd Oilisa 3rd Woodleigh

Now that SIMBA'S PRIDE has got his head in front, he could kick on and progress through the handicap ranks. Michael Dods' charge appreciated the drop to this trip when scoring readily on his handicap debut at Hamilton and, unexposed as a sprinter, there is likely plenty more improvement in him. Gunalt Wavelength and Ellie's De Vega are the ones expected to put up the most resistance.
Prediction : 1st Simbas Pride 2nd Gunalt Wavelength 3rd Ellies De Vega

I'M DAN DARE makes a good bit of appeal in the finale. He wasn't fancied at Redcar, but clearly improved for going back up to this trip as he was denied by the narrowest of margins under this rider. Now that the penny has dropped, Adrian Nicholls' inmate is well worth another chance. Maynora appreciated the switch to turf when scoring at Pontefract and heads the list of dangers from Carnation Queen.
Prediction : 1st Im Dan Dare 2nd Maynora 3rd Carnation Queen