5:50 Ripon
This Class 6 amateur jockeys' handicap at Ripon over 1m2f190y on good ground brings together a field of ten modest performers, several of whom are dropping in class. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched, headed by Star Start on 62, with the remainder ranging from 55 down to 43, underlining the ordinary nature of the contest. Recent form is mixed across the board, but course and distance experience will be valuable given the strong pace anticipated.
How the race shapes up
With two or more habitual front-runners present the pace shape is strong and confidence in that assessment is high. Star Start and Kitsune Power are both inclined to make the running or race prominently, while On The Bubble also tends to go forward from stall one. This should set the race up for the hold-up performers, several of whom are drawn towards the inside, and the key question is whether the early speed collapses late enough to allow the patiently ridden horses to close in effectively.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Star Start KTB Selection62/100
Star Start is a limited-class performer who has been in decent heart of late, as his form figures of 853212 indicate. He has won over this trip and at this track from limited attempts, and the yard posts a solid 12% strike rate at Ripon from a big sample of 372 runs. The 5lb claimer Miss Charli Parker is aboard, a booking that carries weight given her 33% strike rate at the course from just three rides and an A/E of 1.67. He has handled good ground well enough in the past with three wins from 15 starts on it, and his front-running style looks ideally suited to the anticipated strong pace. Dropping in class can only help this six-year-old who tends to make the running or race on the pace.
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2Spirit Catcher55/100
Spirit Catcher is a modest performer who has won once in five runs at Ripon. He has been consistent rather than progressive of late with form figures of 228575 and now steps back up in trip today having failed to land a blow in two previous tries at this distance. The trainer operates at a 6% strike rate here from 113 runs while the jockey has no record at Ripon. He has won here in the past and acts on good ground with two wins from 16 starts on it. His held-up style, in which he usually produces his effort late, could be an advantage if the strong pace collapses as expected.
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3Jam Lass52/100
Jam Lass is a modest performer who has shown little since winning a weak handicap on good ground last summer. She steps up in trip again today having failed to make an impact over this distance on her only previous try. The trainer has a solid 10% strike rate from 63 runs at Ripon although the jockey is 0% from one ride at the track. She has won her only start on good ground and is dropping in class. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she could benefit if the race falls apart late on, though she clearly arrives with plenty to prove on recent form.
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4Kitsune Power51/100
Kitsune Power is a limited horse who has been in and out this season and looks nothing special on recent ratings. He has shown nothing at this track in three runs, finishing 10th, 6th and 8th, and steps back up in trip today having failed to make an impact last time he tried it. The trainer maintains a modest 10% strike rate at Ripon from a huge volume of 2413 runs while the jockey has a 13% strike rate at the course from eight rides. He tends to make the running or race on the pace and has two wins from 16 starts on good ground. His prominent style will ensure he is involved early but the balance of his form suggests he will find a few too good.
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5Glitter Code50/100
Glitter Code is a limited performer who has shown little since a placed effort on good ground last summer. He has a modest strike rate at this trip and was well beaten when last seen over 1m2f here. Trainer Edward Bethell has a solid 25% record at Ripon from 68 runs while the 7lb claimer is making her first appearance at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, this four-year-old could be suited by the strong pace. He has been placed twice from four starts on good ground but remains without a win on the surface.
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6Woodleigh48/100
Woodleigh is a limited performer who has been busy this year and mixes modest form with the odd win. He has won once from four runs at Ripon and acts on good ground with a win and four places from nine starts. Stepping back up to this trip asks a fresh question as he has only tried it once before without success, though his held-up style could see him benefit from the strong pace.
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7It's Only Fun47/100
It's Only Fun is a modest performer who has won at this trip and handles good ground. Recent form is patchy but includes a win and a second this season. The trainer is still without a winner from 11 runners at Ripon and the yard-jockey combination is 1-6 overall. Usually held up, he will be looking to come from off the pace in a race that should be strongly run.
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8On The Bubble46/100
On The Bubble is a limited horse who has been competitive on good ground without winning in 17 attempts. He steps up in trip today having shown little at this distance on his one previous try and was well held when he ran here once before. The trainer has no recorded runs at Ripon while the jockey also has no established record at the track. His front-running style means he will be prominent early in what is expected to be a strong pace.
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9Cougar45/100
Cougar is a limited performer who has been out of form for some time and now drops back in trip having been well held over longer distances recently. He has placed once from 14 starts on good ground but remains winless on that surface. The trainer's modest 4% strike rate at Ripon from 101 runs adds little encouragement. Usually held up, he will need the strong pace to materialise fully.
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10Three Yorkshiremen43/100
Three Yorkshiremen is a limited performer who has been well below his best all season and now drops back from 1m6f. He has placed once from a single run at Ripon and has won over today's trip in the past, though his two runs on good ground have produced no win or place. The trainer is 0% from 8 runs at this track. His held-up run-style should see him well placed if the leaders go too hard.
KTB verdict
Star Start is the KTB Selection and arrives in decent heart with a recent sequence of 853212 that sets the standard in this modest event. He has already won over this trip and at Ripon, drops in class, and his front-running style looks perfectly aligned with the strong pace that is likely to unfold. The booking of Miss Charli Parker adds further appeal given her excellent course record. The main dangers are likely to come from the hold-up brigade if the pace does collapse, with Spirit Catcher and Jam Lass both capable of picking up the pieces, though the selection has the stronger recent profile and course knowledge.
KTB Selection Star Start
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 31 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Star Start | 7/2 | William Hill |
| Spirit Catcher | 4/1 | 7Bet |
| Jam Lass | 20/1 | Bet365 |
| Kitsune Power | 15/2 | Coral |
| Glitter Code | 13/2 | Bet365 |
| Woodleigh | 7/2 | William Hill |
| It's Only Fun | 17/2 | Midnite |
| On The Bubble | 28/1 | Bet365 |
| Cougar | 28/1 | Bet365 |
| Three Yorkshiremen | 13/2 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 5:50 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 horses are likely to set the strong pace?
Star Start, Kitsune Power and On The Bubble are all front-runners or tend to race prominently.
Who stands out on course form at Ripon?
Star Start has won here from four runs, Spirit Catcher has won once from five, Woodleigh has won once from four, and Three Yorkshiremen has placed once from one run.
Which trainer has the strongest strike rate at the track?
Edward Bethell has a 25% strike rate at Ripon from 68 runs.
How many horses are dropping in class?
Star Start, Jam Lass, Woodleigh, On The Bubble and Cougar are all dropping in class.
Which jockey has the best record at Ripon?
Miss Charli Parker has a 33% strike rate at Ripon from three rides with an A/E of 1.67.
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