MILTEYE TO STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT AT RIPON

By Nick Robson, PA

Harriet Bethell has her relatively small string in rare form at present and Milteye looks set to add to her impressive statistics in the Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap at Ripon.

Formerly trained by Edward O'Grady in Ireland, the five-year-old only has one success to his name from 19 outings. Since joining Bethell in Yorkshire, though, he has not finished out of the first three in four starts.

Ripon's round course suits front runners and Milteye nearly pulled off those tactics on his last visit to the Garden Racecourse when second to Westernesse last month.

He was not allowed an easy lead that day, though, and if allowed to dominate this time it could be a different result given he arrives in rare form having won at Carlisle on Saturday evening.

The application of blinkers might do the trick for Equity Law in the City Of Ripon Handicap.

Bought for 34,000 guineas out of Andrew Balding's yard in October, the once 86-rated four-year-old is now on a perch of 75.

He ran his best race since joining Tim Easterby when filling the runner-up spot at Thirsk three weeks ago and if the headgear can help him raise his game even a smidgen, he should go close.

James Owen's rise, under both codes, has been one of the success stories of the past year and he appears to have found a good opportunity for Colinski to add to his tally.

The son of Masar showed little in his first three outings, not getting within 17 lengths of the winner, but it was a different story on his handicap debut when up in trip and fitted with first time cheekpieces as he won easily on the turf at Lingfield.

Up 6lb ahead of the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap, he has now been gelded and it would be no surprise if there is plenty more under the bonnet.

Karl Burke has been reeling off two-year-old winners all season and another juvenile success looks on the cards in the EBF Stallions Restricted Novice Stakes at Ayr with Half Sovereign.

Although very slowly away on her Redcar debut, when the penny dropped she fairly flew home to be fourth looking like she would be all the better for the experience.

The third home had already won a race, giving some substance, to the form and Half Sovereign can only improve with a run under her belt.

It is rare when Jim Goldie and Paul Mulrennan leave Ayr without a winner and it may come this time courtesy of Braes Of Doune in the Try Racing TV For Free Now Handicap.

He has run three solid races this year and while he might need a little more help than the 1lb he has been dropped, he does go particularly well at this track.

At Worcester it will be interesting to see how Might I gets on for new connections in the dragonbet.co.uk Born From The Betting Ring Handicap Hurdle.

A smart hurdler and chaser for Harry Fry, Faye Bramley paid £35,000 for the nine-year-old in May and he is now ready to make his stable debut.

Given he was rated in the mid-140s at his peak, he looks dangerously well handicapped off 135 if the change of stable can rekindle his enthusiasm.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

AYR: Race 1: 14.30 Half Sovereign, Race 2: 15.00 We Still Believe, Race 3: 15.30 Inanna, Race 4:
16.00 Binhareer, Race 5: 16.33 Arabian Cobra, Race 6: 17.05 Superior Council, Race 7: 17.40
Braes Of Doune, Race 8: 18.15 Billy No Mates.

WORCESTER: Race 1: 15.12 Imperial Measure, Race 2: 15.42 Golden Ambition, Race 3: 16.15
Stumps Or Slips, Race 4: 16.45 Might I, Race 5: 17.20 Fine By Me, Race 6: 17.55 The Great
Escape, Race 7: 18.30 Auntie Maggie.

RIPON: Race 1: 19.30 Lexington Express, Race 2: 20.00 Angel Army, Race 3: 20.30 MILTEYE
(NAP), Race 4: 21.00 Equity Law, Race 5: 21.30 Colinski, Race 6: 22.00 Sands Of Dubai.

ALL TO COME: Milteye and Colinski (Ripon, Races 3 and 5).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za