Makashi undertakes an urgent retrieving mission in the eleven-runner Maiden Stakes over a mile of ‘good to firm’ Ripon tonight, can you exercise enough patience, waiting for the suspense, because Simon Crisford’s charge will not be lining up for a fifth outing, until 9pm?
My scrutiny knows no bounds and I’ll definitely be tuned into 77-rated Makashi and Tony Hamilton as they tackle what looks a relatively simple task, unless one of several lightly-raced rivals improves out of all recognition and scuppers the best laid plans for this consistent, hitherto luckless Siyouni gelding.
It just has to be a successful venture and my time-handicap indicates a front-running effort will sort out the wheat from the chaff; it’s a track which suits such positivity and I’ve exploited it countless times, while handicapper/advisor for top trainers Robert Armstrong and Barry Hills between years of 1979 to 2011!
This ‘Garden Of Yorkshire’ course is renowned for its so-called ‘ridges’, which apparently bear resemblance to corrugated iron boards, and therefore emphasis on jockeyship is immense; getting off on the ‘right’ foot and in rhythm is imperative, Hamilton, long-time stable jockey for Richard ‘winning machine’ Fahey, has vast experience of the popular right-handed track with a long straight, after turning in fully three furlongs out.
Pointless mentioning rivalry, there isn’t any and it really is just a case of the Newmarket runner raiding and pouncing for an overdue victory.
An unsolvable juvenile dash opens proceedings and four other handicaps don’t appeal whatsoever which is why focus is centred, reluctantly, on ‘good to soft’ Windsor where Marlborough trainer Richard Hannon should be successful with Eminent Hipster in a 14-runner Novice Stakes over a mile which is scheduled for 8.45!
Definitely a ‘late, late show’ for readers!
Eminent Hipster has thrice-raced Jamie Spencer-ridden Smash Hit to beat; both are rated 79 but the latter has stamina doubts and, hopefully, Pat Dobbs will also be positive on a track which suits front-running.
Earlier a ‘summer-jumping’ card on ‘good’ ground Worcester affords four-year-old Durragh, advantaged by weight-for-age allowance and booking of Brian Hughes, a strong chance in a weak-looking Mares’ Maiden Hurdle over two miles.
With decent luck this could be a resounding week, ‘a Dazzling’ one, in fact!.
Selections, Worcester, 4.05 Durragh (e.w); Windsor, 8.45 Eminent Hipster (e.w); Ripon, 9.00 Makashi.
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019