Sunday’s Placepot Picks includes six selections from Ripon…
RIPON
R1 – Dream More
R2 – Bearin Up
R3 – Memphis Rose
R4 – Amorim
R5 – Capital Guarantee
R6 – Our Absent Friends
RACE 1 – Squadron Flyer At Aldwark Manor Estate EBF Restricted Maiden
Stakes (13:30 UK)
Dream More (5/6)
It's difficult to see Dream More getting beaten in the first, given the two-year-old has the best form available in the race, with two placings at Beverley. The son of Dream Ahead has looked a little outpaced in two runs over five furlongs so the step up to six is likely to suit, with less experienced rivals opposing.
RACE 2 – Squadron Flyer At Aldwark Manor Estate EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes
(Div II) (14:05 UK)
Bearin Up (3/1)
A quick double on the card for Tim Easterby looks plausible, given the promise shown by Bearin Up in his two outings to date. The son of Kodi Bear never became involved on debut at Ripon and was still showing signs of inexperience when beaten less than a length into third at Beverley subsequently. He will continue to improve for inexperience.
RACE 3 – Harrogate Theatre Panto Tickets Now On-Sale Restricted Maiden Stakes
(14:40 UK)
Memphis Rose (5/1)
Trainer Michael Keady is taking a big gamble with his new charge Memphis Rose on her debut for the yard, stepping the filly up from six furlongs to ten furlongs in one quick move. You'd expect the daughter of Sottsass must have shown some stamina at home for this decision to be made, for all she was eye-catching when second at Tipperary on debut.
RACE 4 – British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy Stakes
(15:15 UK)
Amorim (11/4)
Wide margins have been a feature of Amorim's career, given he was beaten five lengths into second on debut before recording his own six length success on second start at
Windsor. He ran well in Listed company when third at Newbury last time and that form looks enough to put him in the winner's enclosure.
RACE 5 – Ripon Rowels Handicap (15:50 UK)
Capital Guarantee (10/3)
Capital Guarantee is nearing his career-best rating again after a success over course and distance nine days ago yet has been very competitive in recent outings. He didn't have the clearest run when scoring by a neck here and a return to front running tactics could allow David O'Meara's charge to go back-to-back.
RACE 6 - Queen Mary's Her Best Day Every Day Handicap (16:23 UK)
Our Absent Friends (7/1)
A tricky sprint handicap to finish the placepot but the recent form of Tristan Davidson would suggest Our Absent Friends would be firmly in the mix. With two wins from his last nine runners, the trainer is in fine form and similar comments apply to the seven-year-old gelding, who has finished close on his last two outings. Our Absent Friends has a great record at Ripon – one win and two seconds from three attempts – and can overcome faster ground than he'd probably prefer.
