Racecards
15:30 Ripon
William Hill Great St Wilfrid Stakes (Showcase Handicap) (Class B)
- 23 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 010006
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey T Eaves
raced stands side, mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on well final furlong
- Form 32-3112
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
raced stands side, towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
Funfair Wane
14- Form 001000
- Age 4
- Weight 9-12
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Alex Greaves
raced stands side, chased leaders, lost place over 1f out
- Form 020025
- Age 5
- Weight 9-8
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey M Tebbutt
raced stands side, chased leaders, ridden halfway, hung right over 1f out, kept on, no impression final furlong
- Form 146033
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Trainer P A Blockley
- Jockey D Nolan
raced far side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, hard ridden under pressure final furlong, just held on
- Form 343010
- Age 6
- Weight 9-6
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey D Corby
raced far side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
- Form 000200
- Age 8
- Weight 9-5
raced far side, towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace after
- Form 030410
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer D W Chapman
- Jockey L Enstone
raced stands side, chased leaders until lost place over 1f out
- Form 360300
- Age 4
- Weight 9-1
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey J Fanning
raced stands side, led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong
- Form 626002
- Age 7
- Weight 9-1
- Trainer J Wainwright
- Jockey P Mathers
raced stands side, mid-division, never dangerous
- Form 6-00313
- Age 5
- Weight 8-13
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey Willie Supple
raced stands side, in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led stands side group inside final furlong, stayed on, no chance with far side group
- Form 005-000
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
raced stands side, slowly away, always behind
Lunar Leo
13- Form 060540
- Age 5
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer S C Williams
- Jockey B Reilly
raced far side, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 001221
- Age 5
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer J Quinn
- Jockey G Duffield
raced stands side, with leaders, ridden over 2f out, led stands side group over 1f out, kept on and headed inside final furlong
- Form 000000
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey Ted Durcan
reared start, always well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3f out
- Form 602310
- Age 5
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer M Magnusson
- Jockey P Hanagan
raced far side, slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, not quicken final furlong
Artie
12- Form 005302
- Age 4
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey P Robinson
raced stands side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong
- Form 020405
- Age 7
- Weight 8-7
raced far side, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, edged left and lost place over 1f out
- Form 5-46105
- Age 4
- Weight 8-5
raced stands side, chased leaders, headway and switched right over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
Undeterred
15- Form 306221
- Age 7
- Weight 8-2
- Trainer T D Barron
- Jockey D Mernagh
chased leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held close home
- Form 466120
- Age 7
- Weight 8-2
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Iona Wands
led far side, ridden over 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace after
Zuhair
3- Form 640022
- Age 10
- Weight 8-0
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey J Bramhill
raced stands side, in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
Extinguisher
15- Form 00-0000
- Age 4
- Weight 8-0
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey D Kinsella
raced stands side, lost place after 1f
In depth
Verdict
David Nicholls has held the key to this since the declarations were first announced and the fact that he is allowing Fire Up The Band to carry the burden of joint-top-weight is enough of a clue to give the four-year-old a confident vote. However, as there is a suspicion that he is a better horse with some cut in the ground, it could also be prudent to seek out a couple of each way alternatives if the prices permit. Stablemate Onlytime Will Tell along with Mutawaqued come here on the back of solid efforts behind the main selection in the Stewards Cup earlier in the month and have solid place claims on that running alone. A form line that also gives Fantasy Believer a good chance at the weights if the ground is also not too lively for him. Budelli, along with Artie, who finished second and third in the this last year, are also capable of going close on the pick of their recent form. Whereas Lunar Leo, Pic Up Sticks and Halmahera have all proved to be difficult to win with and are passed over today. Therefore, with a low draw again looking favourable, Fire Up The Band is taken to be too progressive for Onlytime Will Tell with the lightly weighted Artie a possible spoiler for the Nicholls team. Mutawaqued fits a similar profile to last year's winner of the race and he too could give Fire Up The Band plenty to think about if the gaps appear for him inside the final furlong.