8.15pm Ripon Tips & Betting Preview 04/07/2016

The early market suggests this eight-runner handicap is very open but our race preview identifies a confident selection from our experts. Read on for our betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: The one to be on here is MUKHAYYAM, who has worked his way back to form for Tim Easterby in recent weeks and found himself all dressed up with nowhere to go when travelling strongly in first-time cheekpieces in the Cumberland Plate recently. If the headgear continues to have a positive effect, he can gain compensation in the less-competitive event. Dutch Uncle was a disappointing favourite at Epsom on Oaks day but appeared not to handle the downhill section of that track and will pose a threat if here back on song. High Draw reached the frame despite taking a keen hold at Sandown on Saturday and remains lightly raced.

1 Dutch Uncle – Flopped when favourite for valuable event at Epsom on Oaks day but had been in good form beforehand, notably when making all at Lingfield (1m2f, good) in May; today’s 3lb higher mark looks manageable if he can bounce back from his latest effort.

2 Corton Lad – Overcame some interference to gain narrow success over C&D (good) last month and also ran well when third at Ayr (1m2f, good to firm) on latest outing; ought to go well again today but looks fully exposed and competes off a new career-high mark.

3 Salmon Sushi – Placed on consecutive starts over C&D in spring and didn’t get the best of runs on either occasion; today’s 2lb higher mark probably not beyond him if things pan out in his favour but he ran poorly when upped to 1m4f at York last time and is yet to add to his maiden win in 2014.

4 Mukhayyam – Unplaced all six starts for new stable this season but last month’s fourth at York (1m2f, good) was a good effort and, with cheekpieces added, he was continually denied a clear run when travelling well in the Cumberland Plate at Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm) 12 days ago; dangerous to ignore.

5 Polar Forest – Ought to have been suited by the soft ground at Nottingham on Saturday but spoiled his chance by refusing to settle; remains on a workable mark, though, and has run well over this C&D, so it’s very difficult to rule him out.

6 Montsarrat – Won three times as a 2yo and has finished second on three of his five starts this year, once over 1m here; slightly disappointing on latest outing at Windsor eight days ago but could still have untapped potential over 1m2f.

7 High Draw – Lightly raced 3yo who won his maiden at Wetherby (1m, good) in May; well beaten on last month’s handicap debut at Sandown (1m1f) but fared much better when fourth there (1m2f, soft) on Saturday and can take another step forward if more settled in the early stages here.

8 Carnageo – Displayed jolt of improvement to win readily by 6l here (1m, good) last month, his third handicap, but had to settle for fourth under 6lb penalty at Haydock a week later and the full 9lb rise has now taken effect; needs to make another step forward now upped in trip.

myracing Forecast Prices: 7/2 Carnageo, 4/1 Dutch Uncle, 5/1 Corton Lad, 6/1 Mukhayyan, HIgh Draw, 8/1 Montsarrat, 10/1 Salmon Sushi, 14/1 Polar Forest