Ray ready to rule at Ripon
RAYDIANCE made a very pleasing belated return at the start of the month and he can build on that in the Watch Race Replays For Free On attheraces.com Conditions Stakes at Ripon.
Karl Burke must have been thrilled to see this Mayson colt fall just short at Thirsk on what was his first start since winning an Ascot Listed heat last July.
The 370-day absence perhaps just told in the dying strides as Raydiance had to give best to Mankib by a neck, with the winner having the benefit of a couple of previous starts.
Raydiance was also having his first outing on ground quicker than soft that day, so it is another feather in his cap that he handled different conditions with such aplomb.
Clearly it has not been a straightforward season for Burke with this colt, but his Park Stakes entry next month indicates the regard in which he is held and it will be disappointing if he is not in the mix once again here.
Mulligatawny usually brings his best efforts to Ripon and he could be the one to follow in the attheraces.com City Of Ripon Handicap.
While it is hardly encouraging that he has not won in over a year, his last victory actually came at this track last July, when he was racing off a 10lb higher mark than he sits on now.
Obviously that downshift reflects the recent lack of success, but he did not run a bad race at Chester last time when beaten four lengths by Red Force One, with the winner since franking the form with victory at Newbury.
It may take a bit of a leap of faith to stick with him here, but that could be rewarded.
Meanwhile, Mrs Hoo can make it a quick double at the track in the 21 Engineer Regiment Sapper Nursery Handicap.