ARMY TO CONQUER RIPON RIVALS

By Ashley Iveson

Shadow Army looks the class act on show as he goes in search of Listed honours in the British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy.

A narrow winner on his York debut in the spring, the Showcasing colt was snapped up by the Wathnan Racing team prior to lining up as favourite for the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, but disappointed.

He has since run two sound races in defeat at Pattern level, filling the runner-up spot behind Arabie in a Group Two in France before finishing fourth in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

The form of the latter race in particular looks watertight, with the runner-up Whistlejacket subsequently going one better in the Prix Morny and the third-placed Arizona Blaze going close in a valuable sales race at York on Thursday.

Dropping back down in class, Shadow Army has less on his plate back on home soil and with a visor applied for the first time, he is expected to make the most of the opportunity.

Debora’s Dream may be able to complete his hat-trick in the Ripon Rowels Handicap.

The Roger Varian-trained three-year-old won once and was placed on several occasions in maiden and novice company as a juvenile and entered the handicap sphere with a rating of 80.

He came up short on his first couple of attempts, but a third-place finish on his three-year-old debut suggested his winning turn was near and he duly got on the scoresheet at Nottingham next time.

The son of Sioux Nation defied a 5lb rise with some authority on his most recent outing at Sandown, showing plenty of tenacity to go with his undoubted talent, and another 3lb hike looks fair.

A return to Chepstow may enable Stockpyle to get his season back on track in the Eco Scheme Chepstow Mile Series Final Handicap.

While clearly not in the same league as his Coronation Cup and King George-winning half-brother Pyledriver, Stockpyle has managed to win four races, including a dominant victory as an odds-on favourite over this course and distance in June.

He has been a little bit disappointing in two outings since, finishing down the field at Ascot and Wolverhampton respectively, but the Chepstow mile clearly suits his front-running tactics.

Fast Steps is fancied to take top honours in the Betfred Amateurs’ Derby Handicap at Epsom for Rod and Patrick Millman.

The six-year-old counts a course victory among his four career successes and he won comfortably off his current mark of 80 last season.

His form has been slightly in and out this term, but there was nothing much wrong with his latest effort when second at Sandown to Global Esteem, who has since struck gold over hurdles.

Patrick Millman has ridden four winners from just 17 rides this year and can add to his tally at the Surrey Downs.

Secret Secret is rated the best bet over the jumps at Cartmel as he looks to make it back-to-back course wins in the first division of the EWGA Handicap Hurdle.

Trained locally by James Moffatt, the eight-year-old has unsurprisingly been a fairly regular visitor to the Cumbrian circuit over the past couple of seasons, winning two of his four starts at the track.

He appeared to appreciate the return to an easier surface when scoring comfortably a month ago and with soft ground expected again, he can defy a 6lb rise in the weights.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

CHEPSTOW: Race 1: 14.50 Notre Maison, Race 2: 15.25 Son Of Astar, Race 3: 16.00
Dalmally, Race 4: 16.35 Stockpyle, Race 5: 17.10 Gilt Edge, Race 6: 17.45 All Ways
Glamorous, Race 7: 18.20 Naughty Niall.

RIPON: Race 1: 15.02 Huscal, Race 2: 15.37 Slaney Swagger, Race 3: 16.12 SHADOW ARMY
(NAP), Race 4: 16.47 Debora's Dream, Race 5: 17.20 Scoops Ahoy, Race 6: 17.55 Laudable,
Race 7: 18.30 Chicago Gal.

EPSOM: Race 1: 15.07 Gap Year, Race 2: 15.42 Piz Nair, Race 3: 16.17 Caustic, Race 4: 16.52
Fast Steps, Race 5: 17.25 Big Bear Hug, Race 6: 18.00 Dream Of Mischief.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 15.12 Nightbird, Race 2: 15.47 Mammy, Race 3: 16.22 Amroon, Race 4:
16.57 Five Winds, Race 5: 17.30 High Velocity, Race 6: 18.05 Boujee Gold, Race 7: 18.35
Commander Of Life, Race 8: 19.05 Environment Amigo.

CARTMEL: Race 1: 15.17 Torrent, Race 2: 15.52 Secret Secret, Race 3: 16.27 Baby Evie, Race
4: 17.02 The Bomber Liston, Race 5: 17.40 Tommie Beau, Race 6: 18.15 Lermoos Legend,
Race 7: 18.50 Forcing Bull.

DOUBLE: Shadow Army and Debora's Dream (Ripon, Races 3 and 4).

For fields, race betting and more information, go to www.tab4Racing.com