mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, never a factor
prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt and behind, never dangerous
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, led well over 2f out, driven and headed entering final furlong, no extra close home
held up behind leaders, smooth progress over 1f out, quickened to lead entering final furlong ran on
towards rear, never dangerous
took keen hold, mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden and weakening over 4f out
always behind
led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed same pace
Nero's Return is better than recent form figures would have us believe and he is selected ahead of the revitalised Our Teddy and Top Seed, while Lucayan Dancer has a habit of popping up in races like this and is worth considering for each-way punters. The last named does have to register a career best performance and needs everything to fall into place for him. Top Seed, like many of his stablemates, has been kept on the go lately and has paid his way in win and place money. However, he also gets little respite from the handicapper and has it to prove off top weight. In handicapping terms, not many horses have plummeted as far in the rating as Our Teddy, who was running off a mark of 104 three years ago. Now on a rating of 80, the Paul Blockley-trained gelding has been in solid form of late and has to be respected in his current frame of mind. However, Nero's Return has also been given a chance by the assessor and, as he tales a drop in grade today, Mark Johnstone's charge looks to represent the best value in Ripon's feature race of the day.
Top Seed (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Pulled hard in rear, headway from over 1f out, not clear run on inside final furlong, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Best Prospect (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Lucayan Dancer 20-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Cresta Gold (8-9) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jun.
Most Definitely (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner 7f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 8l behind Luberon (9-0) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Stretton (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 6l behind Nordwind (9-6) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Our Teddy (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Mid-division, ridden headway and switched left from 2f out, ran on well to lead final 50 yards, readily, won at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Soufah (9-5) by a hd, 9 ran.
Nero's Return (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Held up rear, ridden 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Dansili Dancer (8-6) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Billich 9-2 (9-0) Took keen hold in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 9l behind Warsaw Pact (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Baltic Princess (FR) 13-8 (8-6) Led, headed well over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Takafu (9-6) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
