4.05pm Ripon Tips & Betting Preview 22/07/2017

A little over £15,500 to the winner of this Class 2 handicap over a mile and a half. Read on for our expert tip and runner by runner preview.

IN SUMMARY: Mukhayyam and Fleeting Spirit look set to take each other on up front which will set things up perfectly for the well handicapped SENNOCKIAN STAR, who can track them through and pounce late on. He was only beaten four lengths from a higher mark in a similar contest to this on Derby Day, he can take full advantage of this dropping mark.

1 JAAMEH – Travelled with purpose for both his wins this season, the pair of them coming over more of a stamina test than this. He was well seen off in the Northumberland Plate when last seen over further still, so this step back in trip looks a sizeable negative unless connections decide that they want to make more use of him early on to make this a proper stamina test.

2 CORTON LAD – Knocked up a quick double in just three days earlier on this season. They were both at a lower level than this and despite disappointing since, he is still three pounds higher than the latter. He has run well on three of his four visits to the track but that is not enough to suggest he should be supported.

3 MUKHAYYAM – Had the run of the race at York last time, setting his own fractions in front before seeing off a typically half hearted challenge from Mainstream. He would be a danger to all if allowed his own way out in front once more, but that was his highest ever winning mark, so five pounds higher makes this more difficult.

4 SENNOCKIAN STAR – Rated as high as 106 in his pomp, he came home in front twice at Lingfield over the winter from similar marks to this. He ran respectably when third off this mark last time out at Hamilton and he was only beaten four lengths in a better contest than this on Derby Day, on that he is the one to beat.

5 MUSTAAQEEM – Lightly raced, he makes his first start for the Richard Fahey yard. Not seen since last August, he ran consistently well last season from a similar level to this without being able to get his head in front. Those runs were predominantly at a mile, yet to run over as far as this. He isn’t bred to get the trip on pedigree so can only be watched on seasonal debut against race fit rivals.

6 KENSINGTON STAR – Narrowly beaten by Corton Lad at Hamilton over a furlong further earlier in the season. He has shown improved form since when running over two miles, both at Musselburgh and in the Northumberland Plate consolation on the all weather. In a small field the step down in trip has to be a negative, ten pounds above his last run at this distance when beaten.

7 FLEETING SPIRIT – Only has a Chepstow maiden win to his credit, but he has finished a respectable runner up the last twice. The most recent of those was the Cumberland Plate, trying to make every yard of the running in a competitive race. He won’t find it easy to get his own way out in front here, but he has to be respected back up in class.

8 HENRY SMITH – A five time winner in 2016, he saw his mark climb from 48 to 83 in the process. He makes his seasonal debut for a new yard here, two grades higher than he has ever run in, looks booked for a struggle.