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18:55 Ripon
Although the glitz and glam as well as the cameras will firmly be fixed on Chester today we opt for another northern venue as the host of our bet of the day. The Yorkshire course of Ripon hosts an evening meeting where the third race of a six race card looks to be a competitive 6 furlong handicap.
Of the eleven runners likely to go to post three have previously claimed victories here before and the trio have lively chances once again.
Adam’s Ale won over course and distance when making his seasonal reappearance here last month. Capable of being in the thick of it again but a seven pound rise in weight makes this a much tougher task.
Penny Pot Lane has a great record at Ripon with two wins and a place from just three runs here. That enviable record alone gives the five year old mare a feasible chance but returning to this level of opposition doesn’t aid her hopes as she tackles a class she’s never won in before.
The third and final course winner is the horse that is going to see some of our money. Trainer Ruth Carr has bagged five winners in the past two weeks and aims to add to her tally with Magical Effect. An encouraging sixth placed effort when returning to action two weeks ago should stand him in good stead. Dropping back down to six furlongs as well as returning to a lower grade are both big positives as is today’s drier ground. With multiples boxes ticked in his favour expect a big run from this ultra-consistent six year old.
Of the remainder Stanhope looks a viable opponent but with 233 days since his last race fitness isn’t going to be on his side and is likely to need this run before producing his best.
MAGICAL EFFECT (WIN) – NAP
written by Rory Paddock