Ripon Great St Wilfrid betting preview: Latest runners, riders, odds and trainer quotes for the fina

Publish date: 2020-08-24

SATURDAY'S big handicap takes place at Ripon on ITV4 and features a maximum field of 20 runners.

It's a wide open race with Growl leading the field as he chases another big handicap pot and will undoubtedly go well supported.

7. Growl - Richard Fahey (8-1)

A lot of people's cliff horse, Growl is frustrating to follow but has form in Group races and is often people's idea of a good bet in handicap company.

But in these big fields it's never that simple and Growl has not won since picking up a Listed heat towards the end of 2016.

He's undoubtedly well handicapped and was arguably slightly unlucky at Goodwood and you can't ignore his obvious claims.

3. Kimberella - Richard Fahey (10-1)

Fahey runs four in the race and according to the bookmakers his next best chance is with the admirable Kimberella.

The eight-year-old drops into a handicap for the first time since February and has picked up Conditions and Listed races since.

Fahey also runs Brian The Snail and Marie Of Lyon and both are capable horses on a going day.

Richard Fahey on his four hopes

Kimberella - "He loves the track, we're taking 7lb off him so we're hoping it will help him. He holds the track record there and we're very happy with him."

Brian The Snail - "He has plenty of ability, but we see more of that than people do at the races."

Growl - "He's knocking on the door. With slower ground and a bit of luck, he could win one of these."

Marie Of Lyon - "She was a little bit unlucky at Goodwood. Things didn't go right for her, but she's in good form."

9. Pipers Note - Ruth Carr (10-1)

They're won't be a horse running at Ripon this summer that loves the track as much as this horse.

The veteran has won eight races at the Yorkshire track from eighteen starts and this has ensured he's well found in the market.

He's hunting the hattrick and steps up in class but has won off higher in the handicap before.

Ruth Carr on Pipers Note

"He absolutely loves the place. He's won his last two there and I'm really looking forward to it.

"As he's got older, he's able to handle softer ground better than when he was younger, so fast ground isn't as important as it once was.

"It was a good performance last time out and I honestly don't know what it is about the place he loves so much.

"Some horses handle the undulations better than others and he is obviously one of those."

8. Golden Apollo - Tim Easterby (10-1)

Golden Apollo would love some cut in the ground and put up his best performance of the season when a narrow second to stablemate Flying Pursuit last time out.

He's gone back up to a mark he struggled off last time but gets the first time cheekpieces and is in better form to when last tackling this mark.

He'll have a big chance but like the rest will need luck in running at a track that can produce hard luck stories.

5. Flying Pursuit - Tim Easterby (12-1)

Easterby also runs Flying Pursuit who beat Golden Apollo in the Sky Bet Dash at York last time out.

He's up 6lbs for that win but returns to a track he's won at before, which is important at somewhere undulating like Ripon.

However, last time he ran here he was well beaten by course specialist Pipers Note. Saying that he tends to come later in the season and Easterby will have him wound up for this.

Tim Easterby on Flying Pursuit and Golden Apollo

"They are both in good form. Both want cut in the ground. They both should run well.

"We can't split them at home, so we'll see."

1. Spring Loaded - Paul D'Arcy (11-1)

Spring Loaded has to defy a career-high mark but showed he can still be competitive when finishing strongly to be just out of the places in the Stewards' Cup despite suffering a slight injury.

He had won his previous race at Ascot in good style and landed the Portland Handicap at Doncaster in tremendous fashion last season.

He's arguably the class horse in the race with Growl and will take some stopping if getting a clear run.

Paul D'Arcy on Spring Loaded

"He's come out of Goodwood very well. He got a little injury during the race, but he's over that.

"Like all sprinters, he needs a lot of luck in running.

"You need to be where the pace is and where he's drawn, hopefully he'll get sucked into the race and can win for us.

"He was a very well-handicapped horse when he won the Portland last year. Circumstances as to how the season had gone for him meant he was well-handicapped that day."

4. Aeolus - Ed Walker (25-1)

Aeolus was a consistent performer at Group level when he first joined the Ed Walker stable but has slightly lost his way in the last season or two.

He can still throw in the odd big effort though and this has prevented him from dropping down the weights as he may have done otherwise.

On a going day he's a classy type and could be floating under the radar at a juicy price.

Ed Walker on Aeolus

"He's in great form. We're looking forward to getting him back on the grass.

"The ground should be ideal, not sure about the track, but he's on a good mark and one he's capable of winning off. He should go well."

For the full racecard and latest odds, head to Sun Racing's new racecards.

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