A claim by Ponty

RIPON 3.35 ... PONTY ACCLAIM @ 7/2

 Ponty Acclaim's 3lb rise to 85 seems fair for her latest run at York in the Yearling Stakes.
It was franked in no uncertain terms by the 3rd from that event, Gerfalcon, winning the Ripon Champion 2Yr Old Trophy (Listed) yesterday, running to a mark of 95.

Ponty Acclaim's run in Weatherbys Super Sprint previously she fared quite well in 7th of 20 considering she was hampered early on yet still finished just over 3 length off the winning Colt, Charles The Great who went on to a respectable 3rd in the Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) on his last outing.

Risky Art who finished 9 length behind Ponty at Thirsk would bring Kool Henry, (a winner on soft) into the equation as he had Risky Art over 4 length in arrears at York in July.

Signifer, also hampered early in the Super Sprint has a bit to find with the selection but should be thereabouts.

Ponty Acclaim gets the win vote as her form looks strongest to date.

Won ... Full Result>>                    Race Replay>>



Update: 13.40 pm ....... RIPON 4.10 ...

After backing Mirrored last time i thought he was better handicapped than stablemate Crackenthorp who eventually won the York race they contested.
Since reading the saddle slipped on Mirrored on that occasion i would be prepared to give the Easterby runner another chance here dropping another grade and still running off his last winning mark.
Mirrored finished a 5 length 8th to Ailsa Craig in this last season being out the back most the race after breaking from the 1 stall.
He meets Edwin Tuer's runner on 7lb better today. He is better drawn this time around so I would like to see Duran Fentiman take a more prominent position at this track, and if running to his Doncaster form 3 runs back should be right there at the line.

Alistair Whillans also has an interesting runner in Scrapper Smith. Only had 2 outings this term looking likely that the step up in trip would suit both times. He takes this stronger looking engagement rather than the Straight-Mile Championship Handicap (Qualifier) Class4  @ Redcar on Thursday.
Gary Whillans takes off 5lb keeping his weight down to near the foot of the handicap and he is proven with cut in the ground and not badly drawn in 8.
With both runners trading around 12/1 it may warrant a split stakes wager.

Won @ 20/1 & 2nd @ 16/1 ... Full Result>>       Race Replay>>

Forecast 295/1

TUESDAY'S SELECTION'S

PONTEFRACT 2.40 ... SWINBROOK @ 15/2
Swinbrook has found it hard to get his head in front on turf since contesting races with Listed rated rivals 2 season back and his consistency gets no respite from the handicapper.
He finished a head 2nd (from a similar high draw) here last season off 4lb lower giving 8lb to the eventual winner, again off top weight but is race fit this season from a couple of All Weather wins the latest beating a rival 11lb superior.
He is racing off a Stone lower than at his peak when finishing 4th in the Bunbury Cup against the 102 rated winner Mine, so is still well treated from a handicap perspective.
Dickie Le Davoir should get revenge on Bid For Gold on the revised terms from their last encounter here.
Ingelby Arch was giving Dickie Le Davoir 6lb last time they encountered each other here and was around 4 & 1/2 length behind . He now has good 13lb turn around in the weights, and though he can go well 1st time out and is possibly looking well handicapped he hasn't won on turf in the last 3 years.
Desert Dreamer has done most his winning in claimers he beat higher rated rivals than the ceiling for this at Brighton 2 seasons back, and the stiff finish could well suit this 7 furlong performer and he could be troubling the selection at the finish from a decent enough draw.
Divinsky, although wouldn't be a shock winner would certainly be a surprise one in this company on grass, as his best has been on the sand.
Rio Sands ran an excellent race from the outside coffin box 17 stall as a 2Yr old here going down around 2 & 1/2 length in the circumstances, but has again got a wide draw, but @ 25/1 may be worth a small interest for a place as it is probably the best we can hope for this consistent sort.
Guest Connections, a Group winner as a 2Yr Old is the the fly in the ointment, having give 13lb and going down around 4 & 1/2 length to Bid For Gold 2 seasons back he only has to concede 1lb today. He races off his lowest ever mark since going handicapping (rated 100 when with Mick Channon) and off 34lb lower than that today, he is arguably well treated if forward enough, but as he normally needs a few runs is passed over for the win.
Swinbrook 1 point win
Guest Connections 1 point F/C

minus 2 points
FULL RESULT>>

PONTEFRACT 3.10 ... BENCOOLEN @ 16/1
Won his final start for Roger Charlton in a Class 6 Newmarket H/cap and though this looks a big jump in class from that, he and the 2nd 'Stow' were well clear of the field.
Free Offer, the 9 length 3rd from that event, had finished a length behind Granston in a strong York handicap won by the 107 rated Re Barolo last summer, suggesting Bencoolen had a good 8lb in hand of Free offer.
Stow has since went on to a successful hurdles campaign for Venetia Williams.
The 3 times Bencoolen has ran on firm going he has won and usually from a prominent position, so it would be nice to see the jockey adapting those tactics from his mid draw as they normally come stands side on the home straight after the 1st bend.
A line through Granston would bring Kingsdale Orion (better on softer) & Veiled Applause (on his highest ever mark) into the equation with Jamie Kyne's 7lb claim swinging the weights favour for the latter.
Goodbye Mr Bond is fairly h/capped but normally needs a run or two. Unbreak My Heart (another formerly with Roger Charlton) went well fresh last year and is the one with form to win, but has to prove himself on going this fast and if the rain comes would be the main danger. He had some good sorts behind at Haydock last August, including new stablemate Albaqaa (runs in the Class 2 later on today) and went close his final run here last season.
Kavachi has a good jockey aboard but he was held in previous contests by lesser rated rivals who haven't gone on. so could be flattering to deceive.
Bencoolen ... 1 point win
Unbreak My Heart ... 1/2 point reverse F/C

plus 87.5 points

FULL RESULT>>