Hughes’ Sunsprite to shine at Ripon

RACING: Steely determination key for son of Kodiac

SUNSPRITE can continue his climb up the ladder and give Richard Hughes a taste of Listed success as a trainer in the British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy 2018 Stakes at the North Yorkshire track.

The son of Kodiac has shown plenty of determination to land his last two starts by a short head after winning a shade cosier at Bath on his second run.

He is obviously progressive, but, just as importantly, finds more when tackled for the lead in the closing stages.

COTE D’AZUR won for the first time in 14 months when seeing off Red Striker by three-quarters of a length by leading all the way at Nottingham.

The five-year-old, trained by Les Eyre, has been put up 3lb for that win but there could be more to come now he has got his head in front again.

It looks a tougher task and he is dropping down in trip to a mile for the Ripon Rowels Handicap from 10 furlongs, but he has the speed to cope with that.

DAFFY JANE can continue her purple patch in the Billy Nevett Memorial Handicap.

Nigel Tinkler’s three-year-old has won three of her last five starts and seen her rating shoot up from 65 to 80 during that spell. However, she may not have stopped improving just yet.

PETTOCHSIDE ran a tremendous race when second in the Dash at Epsom on Derby day and can go one better on his return to the Surrey venue in the China Southern Series Handicap.

John Bridger’s evergreen nine-yearold only found Tanasoq a length and three-quarters too good in the valuable 20-runner sprint that day and deserves to bag this prize.

He had a two-month break after that effort and should be reaching his peak following two comeback runs, the latest coming in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood when he was not disgraced despite finishing down the pack.