TimeformBlog

[b]Master Of Arts[/b] was still useful when last seen on the Flat back in September. Well beaten in Imperial Cup at Sandown (for David Pipe) in March but no shock if he fares better on this return to the Flat. [b]Voodoo Prince[/b] is a lightly-raced gelding who had pretty useful form to his name last season. Probably needed run on 1m reappearance last month and better expected back up in trip. Still unexposed. [b]Demolition[/b] won twice in 2011, producing career best when landing 1¼m Nottingham handicap on first start back with this yard in October. Returned to form over C&D last time but draw could have been kinder here. [b]Lady Chaparral[/b] has been dropped in trip to good effect for new stable, winning 2 of her last 3 runs (both over 1m at Carlisle). Only another 2 lb higher...

[b]Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to a competitive five furlong handicap from Ripon's evening meeting on Tuesday...[/b] [b]Tax Free[/b] was a Group 2 winner in his pomp and showed there's still plenty of fire in his belly in recent starts, good third at York last month and bang there for much of way when seventh at Goodwood on Saturday. [b]Bosun Breeze[/b] is a front runner who has thrived this year, winning 4 times at 5f, including here. Well beaten off this mark at Ascot last time but this bit easier and no surprise if he bounces back. [b]Singeur[/b] won twice over 5f last spring and produced several creditable efforts in defeat thereafter. Possibly needed run on last month's Pontefract reappearance and should be sharper now. [b]Hazelrigg[/b] ended a long losing...

[b]Timeform's UK SmartPlays kick off the week at today's afternoon meetings, staged at Ripon and Kempton...[/b] Today's race at Ripon offers [b]Gala Casino Star[/b] (15:15) the chance to complete a four-timer, running under a penalty following his nine-length win at Nottingham on Thursday. The gelding, who joined Geoffrey Harker's this season, is thriving since the reapplication of a visor, and under regular jockey Jordan Nason should be able to follow up today. His win last week was the best performance of his career and though Demoliton, who won this handicap in 2010 and placed second last year, is likely to have been set up with this race in mind, Gala Casino Star looks hard to beat on the good to soft going on which he's proven. [b]Ace of Valhalla[/b] looks the pick of the pack...

[b]Head Space[/b] is a horse on an upward curve, having won two of his last three starts, and he should be thereabouts once again this afternoon (14:30, Ayr). The way he travelled over course and distance last time suggested he was a horse well in advance of his mark. Head Space is duly top-rated for this afternoon's contest and he should go well with conditions in his favour. His hold-up tactics sometimes mean that a fast early pace is required, but that looks rather likely in this race. [b]Al Muheer[/b] was only beaten by the narrowest of margins on Saturday at Haydock and a reproduction of that level of form should definitely be enough for him to go close again in what looks a competitive handicap at Ripon (19:50) this evening. Al Muheer tends to take his races well, so the two-day...

[b]Dubai Dynam[/b]o is a tough handicapper who was back to winning ways over C&D in May. Mostly at least respectable efforts since, but only seventh at Haydock on Saturday, and is held by stablemate Al Muheer on that effort. [b]Al Muheer[/b] was successful at Beverley (7.5f) and Thirsk (1m) in May, and bounced back to best when beaten a head by Atlantic Sport at Haydock on Saturday. Repeat of that effort will see him go very close. [b]Beaumont's Party[/b] won at Chester and Chepstow in a productive 2011 campaign for Andrew Balding, but disappointing over hurdles for current yard and fared no better in a couple of Flat outings this spring. [b]Honeymead[/b] has not scored since 2-y-o campaign, but often in the frame in handicaps, including when fourth at Thirsk last time when perhaps...

[b]Askaud[/b] won fillies' handicaps at Goodwood and Haydock last summer. Respectable sixth in the Lincoln on return, but poor runs at Epsom and Newmarket since raise doubts about her current well-being. [b]Dubai Dynamo[/b] won this contest last year having finished second over C&D at previous week's meeting. This time round he arrives on the back of a win at that fixture, and he will be a tough nut to crack again. [b]Extraterrestial[/b] is a hold-up performer who got back on the scoresheet in a 1m handicap at Thirsk last May. Generally consistent since, given a lot to do when a creditable sixth in Thirsk Hunt Cup last time. [b]Emilio Largo[/b] made up into useful performer last summer, completing hat-trick in 7f Sandown handicap in July. Shaped well when fifth in Spring Cup on...

[b]Pleasant Day[/b] opened his account for Richard Fahey in a nine-furlong handicap here in June. He had excuses in more competitive races on his next two starts but his latest effort is harder to forgive. [b]Classic Colori[/b] has gone winless since taking a seven-furlong listed race on the all-weather at Lingfield in the spring, his mark tumbling in the process. A change of yard might well perk him up though and the market should prove informative. [b]Fastnet Storm[/b] is a front runner who deservedly got his head back in front over the extended mile and Wolverhampton in October. He wasn't far off his peak on his third run for this yard when second over course and distance last month, but was disappointing last time. [b]Mirrored[/b] took advantage of the handicapper's mercy when...

[b]Eland Ally[/b] (16:15) can get back to winning ways at Ripon. He continues in fine form and there's plenty of reason to think he would have scored at Haydock last month if he'd broken on terms, in the end beaten a short head by Gottcher having made up late ground. Tom Queally, who rode him to success at Doncaster in June, is back on board today. Useful jumper [b]Neptune Equester[/b] (19:25) can follow up last month's victory at Carlisle back there this evening. Rated in the 130s over hurdles and fences, the eight-year-old relished every yard of Carlisle's marathon trip as he stayed on dourly to land a gamble on his handicap debut on the level. Even after a 6 lb rise for that he still looks thrown in, and that's before you consider that he races off a mark just 1 lb higher today with...

[b]Lady Royale[/b] has looked temperamental, but responded well to pressure when regaining winning thread at Pontefract last time. Not certain to build on that given previous record, but needs consideration. [b]Eland Ally[/b] is an imposing gelding from yard which took this race last year, and better than ever when beaten a short head in 7-runner contest at Haydock last time despite a slow start. Should make a bold bid. [b]On The High Tops[/b] is a stablemate of Eland Ally who won a 5f Thirsk handicap in April, but went wrong way after a good start at 2 yrs, and heading for a repeat if last run is a guide. Blinkers tried. [b]Restless Bay[/b] is in top form this summer, runner-up for third start in a row at Bath last month, and overall record suggests a modest effort at Doncaster...