chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2f out, switched right entering final furlong, ran on well
always towards rear
slow away, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, never dangerous
always towards rear
made all, ridden 1f out, driven out
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
always behind
tracked winner, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furong
mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong
Cases can be made for a number of these and the selection of Fairgame Man is made with a degree of trepidation as the likes of Obe One, Mynd and Tatweer all hold sound claims on the best of their efforts. So too does the admirable Soaked, who is ideally berthed to drag them along at a fair clip if he runs his usual race. The fact that Tony Culhane keeps faith with the eleven-year-old suggests that he is the preferred runner form the David Chapman team and yet another bold bid is anticipated from this front-running veteran. However, this can be a hard track to make every yard of the running at and the like of Mynd and Obe One look to have his measure on recent form. However, as these races have a habit of dumfounding the betting public it may pay to look elsewhere for a bit of value in the market. Not many appeal more than Fairgame Man, who has plummeted in the ratings after a barren spell of just under four years without a win. However, his recent switch from to the Jon Wainwright yard seems to have rekindled his enthusiasm for the game and he is no forlorn hope to reverse Ripon form with Mynd on these revised terms. The booking of a useful 7lb claimer also looks to give Fairgame Man a further advantage at the weights and it really will leave his connections exasperated if he cannot capitalise today. Obe One - a former stablemate of the selection - has some solid form to his name and is the best alternative assuming that previous races confirm that his high draw will not detract too much from his challenge.
