The ‘Behind Closed Doors’ evening card opened with a 5 furlong dash, the British Stallion Studs EBF Ripley Maiden Stakes. The well fancied Selected who has been tried in some decent races in short career gained his first win, staying on strongly in the closing stages for Richard Fahey and David Nolan.
The Dobsons Gaskets Handicap saw favourite Not On Your Nellie go one better than at Catterick two days prior. The Nigel Tinkler trained filly was switched out one furlong out and when popped the question by Faye McManoman, the favourite picked up powerfully to prevail in a tight finish.
A number of powerful ownership groups were represented in the British Stallion Studs EBF Shaw Mills Fillies’ Novice Stakes. Dual-code powerhouse owners Cheveley Park Stud took the spoils as Red Fascinator readily swept aside the favourite Mashmoom under the red-hot Ben Curtis. Karl Burke’s two-year-old bagged the stands side rail and put the race to bed in impressive fashion, giving the impression that bigger projects may lie ahead.
The Armstrong Memorial Handicap gifted Rowan Scott with a milestone in his career as he rode out his claim on board Citron Major, who gave Nigel Tinkler an early double on the card, getting the better of Afandem who took a enterprising far rail trip which nearly paid off for David Allan.
Nigel Tinkler wouldn’t be the only visitor to notch a double on their trip to Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse as the Yorkshire Accountants Ripon Median Auction Maiden Stakes would hand David Allan and Tim Easterby the first of two victories on the Night. Nearly A Gonna encountered a fair bit of trouble in running but went clear in the final half-furlong to win convincingly.
The finish of the night would come from the nights feature, The Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap. Approaching the final 100 yards, three horses were fighting out the finish. However, Daniel Muscutt’s sweeping move aboard Spanish Archer powered the James Fanshawe representative to a victory, narrowly getting the better of Al Muffrih.
Richard Fahey would be the second Yorkshire based trainer to notch a double on the night as the well-punted Kensington Art got the better of favourite Grandee. Under a confident Barry McHugh, the gelding bowled out in front and dictated the fractions. When headed the four year-old showed a game attitude to battle back to strongly take the Ripon Farm Services Handicap.
The finale handed David Allan and Tim Easterby, the opportunities to complete doubles on the night in the Slater Menswear Handicap and Fishable made no mistake, displaying a likeable turn of foot to assert his authority and win impressively.
