It’s a scorcher again this Saturday with temperatures hitting the mid thirties! That means summer fast ground as watering can only do so much in such hot temperatures.
Justanotherbottle was thrown in off a mark of 92 when winning this race easily last season. This time round he is rated 105 carrying 9-8 so it will be tougher. The key is Justanotherbottle loves this course and has won all three starts at the course. I was impressed how he was ridden to win here in June taking a lead before coming home strong to break the course record. Justanotherbottle will enjoy the fast ground and can follow the pace from stall 10 before finishing strongly. Kevin Stott rides him well and we forget his run in the Stewards Cup when down the field as he will bounce back today for sure.
Embour looks well handicapped against the winner of this race last year Justanotherbottle. He meets Justanotherbottle on 18lbs better terms compared to last years renewal when beaten 4.5 lengths. Embour stayed on well last season on good ground and will enjoy the fast ground today carrying a low weight. Saffie Osborne is booked for the ride claiming 3lbs leaving Embour carrying 7-11! He is drawn low in stall 5 and there is some pace on that side with Al Simmo & Intrinsic Bond. There are 15 runners out of a max 20 declared which should in theory make it easier to find a clean passage coming from the back of the field as a hold up performer. He is 4lbs out of the weights with trainer Ruth Carr using Saffie’s claim to overcome that discrepancy.
Summerghand is well handicapped but I’m not certain that Ripon is his course and he’s drawn low in stall 3.
Ripon 2:50
0.5 point each way Justanotherbottle 8/1 Skybet & William Hill, both paying 6 places.
0.5 point each way Embour 22/1 William Hill else 20/1 Skybet, both paying 6 places.
Compare Odds at https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/ripon/14:50/winner
