PADDOCKS PATENT (MONDAY) – In Association With The Value Rater

15:15 Ripon The first of three selections from Ripon today sees David O’Meara send seven year old veteran Burano into a class 4 handicap at a venue where it has placed at before. In its heyday this gelding has won a listed race and ran in a fair few group contests. The horse is obviously a shadow of its former self but in a race like this then any sort of return to its former glories should see a contest of this nature be well within its grasp. A second placed finish at Chester back in May in a much tougher race shows the horse clearly retains some ability and a chance is taken to go close here. Of the remaining runners Tim Easterby’s Salmon Sushi looks to go close once again but with four placed efforts in its last five runs the horses willingness to get its head in front has to come in to question and it’s likely going to find one or two too good here. The favourite, Absolute Zero, shuck off its maiden tag at last when a short priced favourite at Windsor last time out. A six pound rise in the weights seems fair enough and in all honesty is probably the most likely winner but never the less a chance is taken on the oldest horse in the race. Buratino (E/W)

15:45 Ripon Our second selection today sees us opt for another David O’Meara runner, this time in the form of top weight Eccleston. A decent looking third placed finish last time out looks decent form and as connections now enlist the services of top jockey Silvestre De Sousa it’s clear that the horse is aiming for a good run here. The five year old sits on its last winning mark and with it now found a seemingly less competitive contest than last time should do well. The likeliest dangers come in the form of Rantan and Willbeme. Rantan is ultra consistent with three consecutive second placed finishes i a row this David Barron trained three year old hopes to go one better today but I fear its role as bridesmaid as opposed to being the bride looks set to continue. Willbeme may be eight years old but at a current price of around 20/1 looks very generous indeed. Obviously the horse has flattered to deceive in its last few outings but is bound to come on for its most recent run after a break. It’s previous exploits over the past few years has seen the Neville Bycroft trained horse scoop some big time handicaps and dropped into a race like this it could do much better than its price suggests. Eccleston (WIN)

16:15 Ripon We end todays trio of selections with a five furlong sprint where seven three year olds are set to line up. The current market leader looks set to be L C Saloon who has done nothing wrong in two career outings so far. Improving on its maiden run by picking up a victory last time out. Of the seven that look to go to post it’s clearly the one with the most likely improvement and looks to have a great chance, however I’m plumping for an each way selection. There’s two course and distance winners in the race and the selection comes from one of these two runners. Trainer Ann Duffield bagged a winner yesterday and saddles Rosina here. Not only has this horse got a course and distance win to its name but looking through its two year old form and a sixth placed finish in a listed contest behind Quiet Reflection looks like fantastic form now. Obviously the horses three year old form hasn’t been great but as the horse has dropped down the handicap I’m sure it has a victory in it somewhere and today could be its day. Rosina (E/W)