0.75pts EW Intisaab @9/1, 0.75pts EW Toofi @12/1, 15:55 Ripon, Saturday

The Great St Wilfrid Stakes is by far the most competitive race at Ripon in a calendar season and is one of the highlights of Saturday’s racing.

Orion’s Bow is a worthy favourite for the handicap having finished second behind the fast-improving filly Dancing Star in the Stewards’ Cup. He could be a Group-level horse in the making and is fancied to hold his form against a number of re-opposing horses.

But he was a never-nearer second in the Stewards’ Cup and there were those close in behind from poorer draws who were reeling him in at the final stages, having very much had a trouble free run.

It is possible he may just feel the pinch here with another 3lb rise on top of the 34lbs he has already received since May and could be worth taking on at the Yorkshire track, which doesn’t suit all types.

TOOFI had a terrible draw in the big-field handicap at Goodwood, and can be forgiven that run completely with the ground also going against him. Robert Cowell possibly hasn’t seen the best of the Henrythenavigator colt since he started training him earlier this year, but he is better on an easier surface and, with the rain coming this week the ground is now racing good, and is in perfect order for him to rediscover his form of last season.

Toofi’s official mark has fallen to a more workable figure of 100, and with a talented 5lb claimer on board, he is effectively riding off a career-low weight (of 95) since he was first awarded a BHA rating in October 2013.

He ran an encouraging race in the Wokingham when he finished 4l behind the eventual winner Outback Traveller and at 12/1, he looks like one of the better-priced horses near the top of the market. He could be working up to the form which saw him perform so well last season, with the only slight negative potentially his draw in stall three.

We were very satisfied with the run of INTISAAB, having tipped him in the Skybet Dash at York last month when he finished just shy of two lengths behind the in-form Kimberella. David O’Meara’s gelding retains scope for improvement on that performance having been drawn on the wrong side to the winner. He races with a 7lb swing in his favour on Kimberella, who will be looking to bounce back from a (rare) poor run in the Stewards’ Cup.

Intisaab has got good pace around him this time with Related drawn alongside and course-specialist Nameitwhatyoulike also nearby, so it seems like he may be drawn well in 17.

Intisaab’s C&D success is also a big plus on what is a tricky track, and at around 9/1 looks a fair price to follow-up on his recent sequence of 21212 in his last five starts with another victory.

Others that could go well at big prices are previous winner Baccarat (22/1) and Richard Fahey’s Nuno Tristan (9/1), who could still be improving.

0.75pts EW Intisaab @9/1,15:55 Ripon (various bookmakers)
0.75pts EW Toofi @12/1,15:55 Ripon (various bookmakers)

Skybet, bet365 and Ladbrokes paying five places, 1/4 odds

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  1. Very good article and very useful. After Nameitwhatyoulike won a few weeks ago the Great St. Wilfrid Stakes at Ripon racecourse, is time to see which will be the Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy. Today, in the second day of tournament, race 3 is the most interesting. Silva Eclipse comes with the best racing form among the participants. I hope Mulrennan will be able to perform well and deliver an easy victory. However, Itlaaq is also in the race for a victory, having a 50% top 3 percentage in the its last 6 races.

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