ZARABANDA HAS RIPON CLAIMS DOWN IN GRADE

By Josh Luckhurst

Zarabanda looks dangerous dropping down in grade for David O’Meara in the Ripon Cathedral Handicap at the North Yorkshire track.

The five-year-old mare won over course and distance last August during a run of three wins in four races which saw her catapult up the ratings.

Her last five appearances have been in Listed company, including a trip to Fontainebleau in November, but she came home last of eight on her seasonal debut at Ayr earlier this month.

However, returning to the calmer waters of a Class Three handicap could benefit Zarabanda with Danny Tudhope back aboard in her bid for a fifth career victory.

Substitute should put her impressive debut over course and distance to good use when going for the British Stallion Studs Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Charlie Johnston’s charge won by one and a quarter lengths on debut earlier this month, looking like she would be even better for it, and she can double up despite the 7lb penalty.

Michael Wigham will hope Chilled Out can return to the winner’s enclosure in the North East Gunners Cup Handicap.

The five-year-old gelding was victorious on debut for the yard at 25-1 last week to ditch his maiden tag at the 15th time of asking. Now he has got his head in front there might be a bit more to come, which makes the extra 5lb burden not as off-putting.

It Ain’t Two is the one to beat in the Follow Us On X At BetRhino Restricted Novice Stakes at Carlisle for Hugo Palmer.

The two-year-old filly won at Newmarket on debut in April, but was eighth when going off as favourite in the Listed Clipper EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes at York two weeks ago. She can be forgiven that, as things did not pan out her way.

Larchill Lass hopes to put two near-misses behind her when targeting the Daily Football Offers At Rhino.Bet EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Karl Burke’s charge has finished as runner-up on both career starts and that form franks the rest of the field in her bid to challenge for top honours if producing a similar performance.

In the evening jumps meeting at Warwick, Get Sky High looks to record another course and distance triumph in the Newton LDP Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.

The light-raced nine-year-old, trained by Dan Skelton, won cosily by 14 lengths over two miles earlier this month and is the main contender on what is only her eighth start under rules.

At Ffos Las, Ballinsker targets a second straight victory in the Remembering Phillip “Mick” Martin Handicap Chase.

The front-running nine-year-old won over course and distance at the end of last month with jockey Isabel Williams again taking 3 lb off her father Evan’s runner.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

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

LINGFIELD: Race 1: 15.20 Abraaj, Race 2: 15.50 Poetic Force, Race 3: 16.25 Del Ray, Race 4:
17.00 Dame Darcey, Race 5: 17.30 Dorney Lake, Race 6: 18.00 So Obsessed.

FFOS LAS: Race 1: 15.28 Boyles Hill, Race 2: 16.00 Ballinsker, Race 3: 16.35 Nibras Gold, Race
4: 17.08 Thatza Dazzler, Race 5: 17.40 Jasmin De Grugy, Race 6: 18.10 Bridget Mary.

RIPON: Race 1: 15.40 Substitute, Race 2: 16.15 Chilled Out, Race 3: 16.50 First Encounter,
Race 4: 17.20 Zarabanda, Race 5: 17.50 La La Lucrative, Race 6: 18.25 Hard Solution.

CARLISLE: Race 1: 18.55 Giselles Izzy, Race 2: 19.25 Larchill Lass, Race 3: 19.55 It Ain't Two,
Race 4: 20.25 Blufferonthebus, Race 5: 20.55 Galyx, Race 6: 21.25 Mambha, Race 7: 21.55
Vampire Slayer.

WARWICK: Race 1: 19.10 Thirtyfour Thirty, Race 2: 19.40 Espoir Des Forges, Race 3: 20.10
Blow Your Horn, Race 4: 20.40 Pilot Show, Race 5: 21.10 GET SKY HIGH (NAP), Race 6: 21.40
Miltiades.

ALL TO COME: Nibras Gold (Ffos Las, Race 3) and Get Sky High (Warwick, Race 5).