Bath and Pontefract tips: Ripoll ready to rock, Chiswick Bey a value bet
Published:
David Metcalf | August 3, 2016
Ripoll can roar to success at Bath
Ripoll ran a blinder when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land the 1m handicap on today’s card at Bath (17:00).
The Sylvester Kirk trained gelding got off the mark at Kempton back in November and has since run well to make the frame in two of his four starts on the turf.
In the last of those at Leicester seven days ago, Ripoll came from off the pace and looked all over the winner until getting collared close home and beaten a neck by Pacific Salt in a competitive 14-runner affair off a mark of 63.
It was a cracking effort following a 61 day break, and Ripoll is entitled to strip fitter for it.
The three-year-old is also due to race off a 3b higher mark of 66 in future assignments, so is well-in at the weights turned out quickly off an unchanged rating.
It is going to make Ripoll tough to beat, especially with the useful Gary Mahon in the saddle taking off 5lb with his claim.
Aurora Gray weighted to strike on handicap debut
Aurora Gray caught the eye last time out and can cash-in on what looks a handy mark to open her account in the 1m 2f handicap (16:00).
This Hughie Morrison trained filly has hinted at ability in three maiden runs, most notably last time out over 7f at Ffos Las when keeping on to finish a never nearer fifth to Loaded under tender handling.
The first three in that contest were rated 81, 78 and 82, and Aurora Gray finished just a short-head behind a 69-rated rival.
It makes an opening handicap mark of 64 look on the lenient side, especially now that the three-year-old is stepped up significantly in trip.
The daughter of Rip Van Winkle is bred to come into her own over it, and also hails from a yard in good form that does particularly well with unexposed sorts going down the handicap route.
Bath selections
14.00: Captain Ryan
14.30: Blue Suede
15.00: Go Amber Go
15.30: Forecaster
16.00: Aurora Gray (NB)
16.30: Mystique Heights
17.00: Ripoll (NAP)
Chiswick can keep Pontefract rivals at Bey
Chiswick Bey can take advantage of a drop in the weights and class to get back to winning ways in the 1m handicap at Pontefract today (16:40).
Trained by Richard Fahey, the gelding was last successful on the turf at Musselburgh 14 months ago when scoring by a nose off a mark of 70.
Chiswick Bey went on to make the frame on three other occasions off marks as high as 74 before winning on the all-weather at Lingfield back in October.
The eight-year-old is now able to race off a reduced rating of 69 and comes into the contest on the back of two solid efforts in competitive big field contests at Ascot.
In the last of those, Chiswick Bey finished fifth of 18 to Hawkeyethenoo in a class 3 affair and that form reads extremely well in the context of this lower grade class 4 contest that lacks any real strength in depth.
Burtonwood each-way value in sprint
In the 5f handicap (16:10), Burtonwood looks decent each-way value following a solid effort last time out when things conspired against him.
The Julie Camacho trained gelding scored in good style four starts back at Beverley off a mark of 64, and ran really well at the same venue eight days ago when third off 68.
Burtowood’s saddle slipped early in the latter and jockey Kieran Schofield also lost his irons with two furlongs to go.
It was to the four-year-old’s credit that he stayed on strongly to be beaten just 1 3/4 lengths, and it was a terrific effort given how the race panned out.
Burtonwood has since been dropped a couple of pounds by the assessor and is now running off a mark just 2lb higher than when last victorious.
It gives the son of Acclamation major claims from a handicapping perspective, especially if taking into account the 5lb claim of promising young jockey Josh Doyle.
Pontefract selections
14.10: Farham
14.40: Glorious Artist
15.10: Midlight
15.40: Hernandoshideaway
16.10: Burtonwood (E/W)
16.40: Chiswick Bey (NAP)
17.10: Yeeoow (NB)
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