Newmarket and Ripon

the main feature at both Newmarket and Ripon today is a valuable class 2 6 furlongs handicap, and at Ripon the Great St. Wilfrid Stakes at 17.00 is one of the highlights of the season. With 20 runners this looks almost impossible to predict, especially as the effect of the draw is uncertain and also the going. Several of the top distance specialists in the North of England line up here, including top-weight Fullanby (Tim Etherington/ Lee Vickers), runner-up here in 2006, Knot in Wood (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) and Steve Wiliams´ Hogmaneigh (Saleem Golan), while Dandy Nicholls, always to be feared in such events, saddles two runners, Valery Borzov (Franny Norton), an easy winner on heavy ground at Haydock last week, and Tajneed with son Adrian in the saddle. The inconsistent Conquest (William Haggas/ Hayley Turner), who won the Stewards Cup at Goodwood last time at odds of 40-1, adds further spice but almos anything could happen here. At Newmarket the race at 16.30 is for 3 yo´s only, and with 14 runners looks marginally easier. Michael Dods has two likely candidates here, Marvellous Value (Tony Hamilton), winner of 3 of his 5 career starts and still improving, and Rubirosa (Paul Mulrennan), while last-time-out CD winner The Game (Tom Dascombe/ Richard Kingscote) and Spitfire (John Jenkins/ Eddie Ahern), 2nd of 20 in a similar race at te July meeting with several of these behind, are two more for the short list