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Girl power can win the day at Ripon

Written by Press Association | Jun 5, 2024 7:54:20 AM

International Girl can spearhead a Ripon double for Richard Fahey in the weatherbysshop.co.uk Handicap on Wednesday.

She proved pretty consistent through the 2023 campaign, placing on four occasions with only one really lacklustre effort on her record over six races.

The six-year-old posted a fair performance on her return at this track last month, when being drawn in stall one of seven runners certainly did not play in her favour.

Beaten just over 3-lengths, International Girl's form can be upgraded, with a 1lb drop and a higher draw this time adding further confidence.

Golden Strike can pick up where he left off last term in the Yorkshire Accountants Ripon Novice Stakes.

Third to a big-money buy on his initial run at Pontefract, Golden Strike did not help himself that day by starting slowly and swerving in the initial strides, running very green in the finish too to be beaten 1.25-lengths.

He righted the record the next time at Ayr and he might not need to improve too much to take this heat.

Rascal Recknell looked a horse of some potential through the winter and takes the eye in the Unibet Support Safe Gambling Handicap at Kempton.

Third on debut, with the classy Skellet a place behind, Rascal Recknell again suffered a narrow defeat on his second start before making it third time lucky in February.

He was very keen on that occasion but had more than enough in reserve at the finish, winning by just under 3-lengths to earn a starting mark of 80.

Kevin Philippart De Foy's charge sidestepped an intended turf spin at Yarmouth last month due to soft ground but there are no questions about the Polytrack here and he looks as though he could rate a good deal higher yet.

Cat Ninja is the pick in the second division of the Try Unibet's Improved Bet Builder Novice Stakes.

Narrowly beaten by Run Away on debut, Cat Ninja was on the mark at the second time of asking when holding off Clove Hitch by 0.5-lengths, with the pair pulling 11 lengths clear of the rest in a maiden event.

She looked a potential black-type performer and this could be a nice step for the Gosden-trained filly.

Graham takes a step up to 2800m in the Experience Hospitality At Nottingham Racecourse Handicap at the Colwick Park circuit.

A dual winner over 2400m last year, Richard Hannon's charge had to settle for third behind Kotari at Ascot last month after disappointing over 2000m on his seasonal return.

He was not beaten far that day and is related to a couple of staying types.

Pentire Head can make his mark over fences in the Newton Abbot Racecourse On Facebook Handicap Chase at Newton Abbot.

Out of luck in six hurdles runs, he has looked the kind of horse who might be better over the bigger obstacles. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

NEWTON ABBOT: Race 1: 15.10 Pentire Head, Race 2: 15.40 Go Johnny Go, Race 3: 16.10 Mollie Brown, Race 4: 16.40 American Gerry, Race 5: 17.10 Swift Hawk, Race 6: 17.40 Colonel Lesley, Race 7: 18.15 City Roller.

NOTTINGHAM: Race 1: 15.27 Fanzone, Race 2: 15.57 Leovanni, Race 3: 16.27 Tyke, Race 4: 16.57 Graham, Race 5: 17.27 Phoenix Passion, Race 6: 17.57 Snapcracklepop.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.05 Stockpyle, Race 2: 18.35 Jewel Of London, Race 3: 19.10 Murashah, Race 4: 19.40 Cat Ninja, Race 5: 20.15 Rascal Recknell, Race 6: 20.45 Miss Information, Race 7: 21.15 Cracksking, Race 8: 21.50 Sailing On.

RIPON: Race 1: 19.20 Watch Blue Point, Race 2: 19.55 Golden Strike, Race 3: 20.25 Garden Oasis, Race 4: 20.55 INTERNATIONAL GIRL (NAP), Race 5: 21.25 Street Life, Race 6: 22.00 Angel Of The Bay.

ALL TO COME: Rascal Recknell (Kempton, Race 5) and International Girl (Ripon, Race 4).