3.50pm Ripon Tips & Betting Preview 02/16/2016

IN SUMMARY: Wilde Inspiration posted an excellent performance when close third in a valuable Haydock contest in April and will be a very tough nut to crack if in the same form here but the most interesting runner is arguably BRAZOS (8/1 Each Way), who had a rather disappointing season for Clive Brittain in 2015 but was smart in his prime and, having contested a Group 2 race on his latest outing, has his sights lowered significantly on his debut for James Tate. If revitalised by a change of stable and fully revved up for today’s seasonal debut, he could have too much class for this field. Treasury Notes, a narrow-margin C&D winner in April, didn’t get the best of runs on his latest outing and may overcome his current mark at some stage. Lat Hawill returned to form with a good 7f AW run on his debut for Keith Dalgleish and might be better suited by today’s trip/ground.

1 Lat Hawill – Sold out of Marci Botti’s stable after struggling in the Lincoln in April but made solid start for Keith Dalgleish when third in competitive event at Newcastle (7f, AW) last month; likely to be better suited by today’s trip/surface and remains attractively weighted on some of last year’s Irish form.

2 Brazos – Became disappointing for Clive Brittain last season and was well-beaten 100-1 shot in a 7f Group 2 event when last seen in September; however, starts off for James Tate in much calmer waters and on a workable handicap mark; raced mainly at around 7f but should be fine over today’s trip; interesting.

3 Indy – Runner-up off 3lb higher mark in this race last year (soft ground); obvious chance if in same form today but wasn’t seen again until two disappointing runs at Thirsk in April (7f/1m), where he ought to have been suited by the conditions; needs to up his game.

4 Wilde Inspiration – Slightly disappointing when fifth (joint-favourite) in the Thirsk Hunt Cup on latest outing in April but ran a big race when close third in a valuable event at Haydock (1m, good) a week earlier and also performed well over C&D last season; good chance if first-time hood helps.

5 Get Knotted – Unable to cope with heavy ground on seasonal debut in April but was seen to much better effect when scoring in good style at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) last month; up in class today but subsequent 3lb rise doesn’t look excessive and he ought to be in the thick of things here.

6 Treasury Notes – Two wins from seven starts since joining David O’Meara in the autumn, the more recent gained by a short-head over C&D (good to soft) in April; 5lb higher now but didn’t get the best of runs when fourth at Ayr last month and is unlikely to be far away.

7 Glenalmond – Yet to add to his 2yo maiden win on debut in summer 2014 and been soundly beaten on his first two starts this season; sliding handicap mark makes him difficult to rule out but others have much less to prove.

8 Taysh – Gained clearcut win at Catterick (7f, good to soft) last month but that race wasn’t particularly competitive and, having been raised 6lb, he had to settle for a midfield finish at Thirsk (1m, good to firm) on latest outing; not yet fully exposed but needs to find something extra to hit the target again.

myracing Forecast Prices: 7/2 Treasury Notes, 4/1 Lat Hawill, 5/1 Wilde Inspiration, 6/1 Get Knotted, 8/1 Brazos, Taysh, 10/1 Glenalmond, 12/1 Indy