4.59 Ripon – Harrogate Comedy Festival Coming This Autumn Handicap (Class 6, 1m1f170y, 3yo+ 46-60)

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Pace Angles & Draw Angles:
Expected pace is even to steady, with limited natural front-runners. Scarriff and possibly Infantry Officer may be ridden forward, but no confirmed trailblazer, which could disadvantage hold-up types needing a strong pace. Ripon can favour prominent racers when pace is modest. The draw is broadly neutral over this trip, but double-figure stalls historically underperform in small fields at this course.


Strongest Contenders:

Bay Dream Believer – Proven (Score: 9/10)
She returned to winning form last time over this trip at Doncaster, settling better and travelling with purpose. A C&D winner earlier in the year off this same mark (59), her recent figures are solid: 68-68-67 and she acts on good ground and the course. The return to Ripon is a plus, and her early pace figure (EPF ~2) gives her a tactical edge if she breaks alertly. Trainer in form, and Jason Hart retains the ride.

Infantry Officer – Promising (Score: 8/10)
Lightly raced and took a minor step back at Windsor after a break when too keen, but his prior two wins at Wolverhampton were dominant from the front. This mark (60) might not be beyond him based on sectionals and visual impressions from those AW wins. The trip and ground should suit, and he’s unexposed on turf. Blinkers could come in time, but he may still need a stronger gallop to be seen at his best.

Light Up Our Stars – Progressive at low level (Score: 7/10)
Reliable and in-form, especially under amateur handling. He ran with credit behind Poet’s Dawn and Union Island and was a strong winner in May. Sectionals show he finishes off his races well, which may be blunted by a lack of pace, but the form is genuine. Has run up to 74 RPR at this level recently.


Main Dangers:

Young Fire – Exposed but genuine (Score: 7/10)
No longer the force of old but holding his form better this summer. Placed three times recently, often from off the pace. A hold-up style and draw in 2 could leave him with traffic issues in a steadily run affair. Would be favoured by more pace but holds enough ability to contend if the race opens up.

Little Ted – Proven (Score: 6/10)
Course form solid and usually runs to his mark. Won two starts ago and is on a manageable mark (56). Track suits, though he’s a grinder rather than a turn-of-foot horse. Needs a bit of cover and rhythm and would be better served by a pace collapse.

Scarriff – Holding form (Score: 6/10)
Has won and placed at Musselburgh recently, helped by aggressive tactics and blinkers. Likely to go forward again. This trip stretches her, but she’s on a workable mark and in good heart. If able to control things, could pinch it from the front.


Interesting Outsiders:

Warrior Lion – Unproven but hints at ability (Score: 6/10)
Best of the ex-Irish imports for this yard. Ran on late at Chester, and effort at Doncaster prior was respectable. Has a look of a project horse with scope to win at this level, and a more galloping track like Ripon could suit. Still a bit of a guess, but an interesting one.

Tiberio Force – Unreliable but recent signs of life (Score: 5/10)
Ran close at Catterick twice, but both runs fell apart late on and he tends to find one too good. Best efforts come when dictating from the front, but unlikely to get soft fractions here.


Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis:

  • Bay Dream Believer: 9/10 – Proven at trip, ground, course, and mark.
  • Infantry Officer: 8/10 – Unexposed; bounce back possible.
  • Light Up Our Stars: 7/10 – In consistent form; lacks tactical speed.
  • Young Fire: 7/10 – Honest; hold-up style vulnerable to pace.
  • Little Ted: 6/10 – Course suited; needs more pace than likely.
  • Scarriff: 6/10 – In-form; tactical angle; stamina slight worry.
  • Warrior Lion: 6/10 – May be better than he has shown.
  • Tiberio Force: 5/10 – Plenty of chances; hard to trust.
  • My Honey B: 4/10 – Profile erratic; little encouragement of late.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.


Each-Way Angles:

(10 runners)

  • Light Up Our Stars (7/10): Solid profile; may sneak into a place.
  • Scarriff (6/10): If allowed to dictate, could be dangerous at a price.

Private Tissue Estimate:

  • Bay Dream Believer – 3/1
  • Infantry Officer – 9/2
  • Light Up Our Stars – 13/2
  • Young Fire – 7/1
  • Little Ted – 15/2
  • Scarriff – 9/1
  • Warrior Lion – 10/1
  • Tiberio Force – 14/1
  • My Honey B – 20/1

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.


Summary + Smart Play:

This race revolves around Bay Dream Believer, who returned to form decisively and has plenty in her favour returning to a C&D where she has strong form. The tactical setup is likely to suit her better than the closers.

Infantry Officer is the unknown quantity, lightly raced and with a striking sectionals profile from his AW wins. If settling better, he is a danger.

Smart Play:

  • Win Bet: Bay Dream Believer – Ready profile, proven, and strong course synergy.
  • Each-Way Saver: Light Up Our Stars – Reliable and has maintained form; could stay on into the frame.

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