2:10 Ripon
This Class 5 apprentice handicap at Ripon over 1m1f170y on soft ground features a field of seven modest performers. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, with Yermanthere heading the list on 58, followed by Poet's Dawn and Precious Spartan both on 53 and No Knee Never on 52. With a lone-leader pace shape expected, the race is likely to revolve around whether any horse can close effectively on an uncontested front-runner over this trip and under these conditions.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape points to a lone leader with high confidence, suggesting Poet's Dawn will be allowed an uncontested lead from his draw in stall two. Most of the field, including the selection Yermanthere, Precious Spartan, No Knee Never, Cosmos Raj, His Finest Hour and Draupnir, are held-up types who will be looking to produce their effort late. The key question is whether the clear leader can dictate terms and prove hard to peg back on this soft surface, or if one of the closers can bridge the gap in the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Yermanthere KTB Selection58/100
Yermanthere is a modest performer who has won once from three starts at this track. His recent form reads 051226 and he steps up in trip today having already won at this distance in the past. The Tim Easterby stable has a 10% strike rate at Ripon from 2418 runs while the jockey is making his first appearance at the course. He has been placed once from 11 starts on soft ground without winning and is usually held up, producing his effort late. The eight-year-old is drawn in stall six and is the KTB selection.
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2Poet's Dawn53/100
Poet’s Dawn is a modest 11-year-old who has won three times at Ripon from 17 starts and has a solid record on soft ground with two wins and four places from 12 runs. He steps up in trip today having last run over a mile yet holds five wins from 17 starts at this distance which suggests the extra furlong should suit. The Tim Easterby yard posts a 10% strike-rate here from a huge sample while 5lb claimer Jake Dickson adds value from his own record at the track. He is a confirmed front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace and is dropping in class.
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3Precious Spartan53/100
Precious Spartan is a modest performer who has won three of his four starts at Ripon and arrives in reasonable form off a recent handicap mark. He has placed on soft ground without winning and has also placed at today’s trip, though neither has produced a victory. Trainer Patrick Neville has a strong 60% strike rate at the track from a small sample while jockey Cian Horgan is unproven here. Usually held up and producing his effort late, the four-year-old is stepping up in class and is drawn in stall five.
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4No Knee Never52/100
No Knee Never is a modest performer who has shown little spark in recent starts and looks vulnerable from a mark that has yet to come down enough. He has run just once at Ripon, finishing a fair fourth, while the yard’s 25% strike rate here from 20 runs gives some encouragement. Unproven on soft ground and only placed once in four tries at today’s trip, he is usually held up and produces his effort late. The five-year-old is drawn in stall four.
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5Cosmos Raj49/100
Cosmos Raj is a modest performer who has won three times from nine runs at this track and also has a win at today's trip. He has shown his best form on soft ground with one win and a placing from five starts. The yard has a solid 15% strike rate here from a huge sample of runners and he is usually held up.
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6His Finest Hour49/100
His Finest Hour is a modest performer who has been placed on both previous runs at Ripon and arrives in decent form with two seconds from his last three starts. He steps up in trip today having already won twice over this distance earlier in his career, though he has shown little on soft ground in one previous attempt. Trainer Tina Jackson has a modest 4% strike rate at the track from 68 runs while jockey Warren Fentiman is making his first appearance here and he is usually held up.
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7Draupnir43/100
Draupnir is a modest performer who has been largely consistent this year without winning. He has a bit of placed form on soft ground but was well held on his only previous run here and has failed to trouble the judge in two starts at this trip. Trainer has a modest 10% strike-rate at Ripon from a big sample and he is usually held up.
KTB verdict
Yermanthere is the KTB selection. He is a modest performer with a winning record at this track from limited attempts and steps up in trip having already won at this distance in the past. The combination of course form, prior success over the distance and the held-up run-style that could suit a race with a clear leader gives him the call. Poet's Dawn is the obvious danger as the likely lone leader with strong course and going stats, while Precious Spartan and No Knee Never are next best of the principals.
KTB Selection Yermanthere
This is the narrative read of the 2:10 Ripon. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Ripon racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Ripon results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is likely to take the uncontested lead?
Poet’s Dawn is the confirmed front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace.
How many wins has Precious Spartan recorded at Ripon?
Precious Spartan has won three of his four starts at Ripon.
What is the trainer strike rate at Ripon for Patrick Neville?
Patrick Neville has a 60% strike rate at Ripon from five runs.
Which horse is unproven on soft ground?
No Knee Never has had no runs on soft ground.
How many course wins does Poet's Dawn have at Ripon?
Poet’s Dawn has won here three times from 17 starts.
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