There was plenty to enjoy at Ripon on Thursday despite the high temperatures of the week which have made racing a challenging business for horse copers. Old favourites – equine and human – mixed with precocious talent in a compelling mix whose leading players are likely to figure again here and at bigger venues still.
Spectators love to latch on to a course favourite. Last September, Mark’s Choice totted up his 10th course victory in the sprint category. Middle distance handicapper Spioradalta has a little way to go to meet that record, but showed plenty of appetite to win his fourth race at Ripon in the Ripon Cathedral Handicap, under Jason Hunt, for Mark Walford. A veteran already of 46 races and 10 victories, the gelding has taken a shine to Ripon’s 1m2f course for sure, and next time around, he may garner more support than the 5/1 offered about him might suggest.
Tim Easterby won’t thank me for describing him as an old favourite (less of the old, lad), but he has a blistering record at Ripon this year to date, and he maintained that strike rate with a double through Vega’s Virtue in the mile handicap and Marajito in the 5f sprint, bringing up his 7th winner on his home track this Spring from 51 runners.
Duran Fentiman had to earn his riding fee in the handicap, staying on by a neck at the line having come from behind. Four year old Marajito wasn’t much fancied in the market, but showed the sunshine was bringing him to form when following up on a 4 1/4l fifth of nine in a Nottingham handicap 10 days ago. Oisin McSweeney, having taken him down steadily earlier than the rest, came back a great deal faster, taking up the lead a furlong out and repelling all boarders to win by 1 1/4l.
The day had started with a display of precocious talent by yet another juvenile from Karl Burke’s stable, who are spoilt for choice in Ascot selections. This latest, Etonnante, will skirt the Royal Meeting to target other Group races in July. She gave no cause for alarm to favourite backers who backed her down to 5/6 favourite, and the jolly duly delivered under Clifford Lee to win by 1 3/4l, Lady Branksome a respectable runner-up for Michael Bell.
Lee enjoyed a happy afternoon, doubling up later in the card with a rather uncomfortable ride on even money favourite Jet Warrior, whose high head carriage proved no impediment to securing a half length victory over Angel of England in the Sky Sports Racing Virgin 519 Handicap over 6f, to clock up his 16th victory of the term to date.
Also reaching his 16th winner of the year is Co Durham trainer Michael Dods, whose handicapper Simba’s Pride overcame some traffic problems under Mark Winn to find the front in the Sky Sports Racing 415 6f Handicap. That victory kept favourite backers happy, the second of three winning jollies that left honours even at the close of the day between punter and layer.
Middleham trainer Liam Bailey hasn’t been running much this month, but what has run is notable. Five year old Something set the pace from the front in the 1m 4f handicap underwritten by regular sponsor Napoleon’s Casino & Restaurant, and came home 1 1/2l in front of So Alex to complete a frustrating afternoon for Dr Newland and Jamie Insole, two seconds from two runners at the Garden Racecourse. Jack Garrity was clocking up his 7th winner of the season to date.
