Ripon tips: Intisaab has a Great chance in St Wilfrid
Published:David Metcalf | August 12, 2016
Intisaab has plenty going for him in Great St Wilfrid
Trainer David O’Meara has an excellent record in the Great St Wilfrid and Intisaab looks to hold leading claims of enhancing it in this year’s renewal of the ultra-competitive 6f handicap at Ripon (15:55).
The Yorkshire handler has won three of the last five runnings of the contest courtesy of Pepper Lane (2011, 2012) and Out Do (2014).
In Intisaab he has a gelding who has shown progressive form in his last five outings since being fitted with cheekpieces, winning twice and finishing runner-up on three occasions.
Unlucky at York
The five-year-old is clearly right at the top of his game at present and looked an unlucky loser last time out at York when finding only Kimbrella too good in a hot 16-runner handicap.
Intisaab was slowly away from a poor draw before flying home from a hopeless position to be gaining hand over fist at the finish and beaten 1 3/4 lengths.
It was a cracking effort, given how the race panned out, and he now meets the winner on 6lb better terms.
That should be more than enough to see Intisaab gain his revenge and another plus is that he goes particularly well for Shelley Birkett, who takes off another 5lb with her claim.
Shipyard primed for repeat bid
In the 6f consolation race for the Great St Wilfrid (15:25), Shipyard looks weighted to retain his crown.
The Mick Appleby trained gelding was in fine form last season when winning three times, including this contest by a head off a mark of 84.
Shipyard went on to score at Ascot off 87 and is now able to race off just 2lb higher having posted four solid efforts this season.
This seven-year-old looks to have been brought along steadily with this race in mind.
Booking Tom Queally to do the steering is an eye-catching one, as he has an overall strike rate of just over 21 per cent when teaming up with the yard which has produced a profit of over £32 to a £1 level stake.
It suggests that connections mean business and Shipyard is undoubtedly weighted to be very competitive on the pick of his form.
Ripon tips
13.50: Quiet Moment
14.20: Stoney Broke
14.55: Seduce Me
15.25: Shipyard (NB)
15.55: Intisaab (NAP)
16.30: Lord Ben Stack
17.05: Icefall