FIFTH RACE 7.40 THE weatherbysshop.co.uk

HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3)

for four yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £18000

Owners Prize Money. Winner £7313; Second £3658;Third £1829; Fourth £914; Fifth £457; Sixth £229. (PenaltyValue £9277.20) Weights raised 1lb and paragraphs 27 to 31 of the Weights and Handicapping Code complied with where applicable. SS

(FOR CONDITIONS OFTHIS RACE SEE PAGE 31)

Race Description

This is a six furlongs handicap race for four-yearolds and upwards which have been rated from 76 to 95 Once a horse has qualified for a handicap rating this is regularly reassessed. A below-par effort could result in a reduced rating whilst a strong performance could see the rating increased. Occasionally, horses are entered to race before their handicap rating has been reviewed and so to avoid recent winners being un-penalised they are allotted a mandatory penalty – usually 6lb.

1 INTRINSIC BOND (GB) (39) 6

B g Intrinsic - Misu Billy

Owner: Mr David Tate & Mr Daniel Lawson

Trainer: Tracy Waggott, Spennymoor

Sponsor: Tote

Jockey: Connor Beasley

Form: 100-002 CD

Breeder: David Tate

TIMEFORM VIEW Dual winner last season, including in the Great St Wilfrid here in August. Back to form when second of 10 in handicap at this course (5f, heavy, 11/1) 39 days ago and rates as a leading player if in same form, albeit consistency isn’t his strong point.

2 JUSTANOTHERBOTTLE (IRE) (18) 9

Ch g Intense Focus (USA) - Duchess K (IRE)

Owner: Mr Steve Ryan & Mr M J Tedham

Trainer: Kevin Ryan, Hambleton

Sponsor: Santry Ltd

9 7

(1)

Jockey: Tom Eaves

Form: 250-600 CD

Breeder: John O’Connor

TIMEFORM VIEW 3-time C&D winner hasn’t yet fired in as many outings this term but is now 10lb below last winning mark and shouldn’t be discounted on return to Ripon. Star

3 IT JUST TAKES TIME (IRE) (19)

Br g Power - War Bride (GER)

Owner: Go Alfresco Racing Partners

Trainer: Mark Walford, Sheriff Hutton

Sponsor: Riverlynx Ltd

5 9 5 (7)

Jockey: Jonny Peate (3)

Form: 66-0314 D BF

Breeder: Gervin Creaner

TIMEFORM VIEW Likeable sort scored at Thirsk last month before making the frame in a 20-runner event at York (7f, good to firm, 4/1) 19 days ago. Should continue to give a good account.

4 GULLIVER (GB) (21)

B g Sayif (IRE) - Sweet Coincidence

Owner: Withernsea Thoroughbred Limited

Trainer: David O’Meara, Upper Helmsley

9 9 4 (8)

Jockey: Jason Watson

Form: 06000-0 D

Breeder: S. A. Douch

TIMEFORM VIEW Winless since 2020 and offered little on his return when seventeenth of 21 in handicap (28/1) at York (6f, firm) 21 days ago. Becoming well handicapped but others make more appeal on balance.

5 LEAP ABROAD (IRE) (18) 4

B g Gregorian (IRE) - Norfolk Broads (IRE)

Owner: Middleham Park Racing CIV, Cole & Deacon

Trainer: Paul & Oliver Cole, Whatcombe

Sponsor: P. F. I. Cole Ltd

9 2 (6)

Jockey: Mohammed Tabti (7)

Form: 211-444 D

Breeder: E. Phelan

TIMEFORM VIEW Landed his final 2 outings in 2022 and has continued in good form since his return, making the frame in all 3 outings this year, most recently when fourth of 18 in handicap at Newbury (6f, good to firm) 18 days ago. Remains on handy mark and has to be taken seriously under regular claimer Star Ra

6 Bay

BREEZE (GB) (18)

B g Buratino (IRE) - Midnight Mojito

Owner: Mr D. A. West & Partner

Trainer: Tim Easterby, Malton

Sponsor: Easthorpe Hall Stud

87

4 9 1 (3)

Jockey: David Allan

Form: 20-0121 CD

Breeder: Habton Farms

Career best when winning 11-runner handicap at Thirsk (6f, good, 16/1) 18 days ago. Now racing from career-high mark but foolish to discount after recent efforts. Star RatingHHHHI Official BHA Rating 86

TIMEFORM VIEW 3-time C&D winner 2 wins from 4 runs this year

7 TWELFTH KNIGHT (IRE) (26) 4 9 0 (5)

B g Haatef (USA) - Balm

Owner: Mrs N. Padgett

Trainer: Ruth Carr, Stillington

Sponsor: XRE Construction Training Ltd

Jockey: James Sullivan

Form: 604-101 CD

Breeder: Castlegrove Stud

TIMEFORM VIEW Won at Redcar in April before producing a career best to land an 8-runner handicap at this C&D (heavy, 13/2) 26 days ago by length from Fortamour Still not long with this yard and has form on quicker ground, so is another who holds solid claims

Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 85

8

FORTAMOUR (IRE) (19)

B g Es Que Love (IRE) - Kathy Sun (IRE)

Owner: Chris Cleevely & Racing Knights

7 8 9 (4)

Jockey: Andrew Mullen

Form: 5-05420 CD

Trainer: Ben Haslam, Middleham Breeder: D. Ryan, D. S. Ryan & R. A. Williams

Sponsor: Instawood Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW 3-time C&D winner Chased home Twelfth Knight here in April before running respectably to finish seventh of 20 in handicap at York (7f, good to firm) 19 days ago. Solid frame claims.

DECLARED RUNNERS 8

Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 80

2022: TINTO 6 9 4 Connor Beasley 13-2 (Michael Dods) 9 ran

Tongue Strap worn by No. 4, 5. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2, 4.

Betting Forecast:

4-1 Intrinsic Bond (GB), 9-2 Leap Abroad (IRE), 5-1 It Just Takes Time (IRE), 6-1 Bay Breeze (GB), 15-2 Twelfth Knight (IRE), 11-1 Fortamour (IRE), 12-1 Justanotherbottle (IRE), 14-1 Gulliver (GB)

PLAY SMARTER

An 8-runner field but a really competitive sprint handicap, with the reliable LEAP ABROAD fancied to continue his good spell and take advantage of some relatively lenient handicapping following another creditable effort at Newbury. It Just Takes Time is another likeable sort and is much respected after a sound placed effort at the Dante meeting, whilst least year’s Great St Wilfrid winner Intrinsic Bond also makes appeal after another good effort here last time.

Best Turned Out Horse

A representative of Ripon Racecourse will select the best turned out for this race and present a trophy to winning connections.