3:35 Ripon Tips

Winner at York in June. Fair efforts off higher marks since, but is back on that last winning mark now, so should be bang there this afternoon.

A C & D winner in June, then followed up at Donnie with a 2nd place. Dropped off the pace on the all-weather LTO, but this 8-time course winner, even though a 9-year-old, has still got it.

Ziggy’s Ariel, a 3-year-old bay filly trained by Alice Haynes and ridden by Christian Howarth (allowance 3 lb), carries an official rating of 76 into the 15:35 at Ripon. She’s shown a liking for this track, winning over today’s trip in April and following up with a solid fourth behind Kats Bob??'keen and prominent??'just ten days ago, when reared at the start but still finishing with credit. Her form figures of 662784 feature a handful of near-misses and consistent efforts in competitive sprints. A mid-to-high draw in stall 11 should help her settle prominently, benefiting from Ripon’s fave front??'running pattern. With proven course effectiveness, creditable recent effort, a suitable draw, and a patient ride from Howarth likely to find her a good position early, she’s set to run well and is strong each-way value here. Her 2 wins in handicap company were off 75 and is rated 76 tomorrow and we get the claim from Christian Howarth so I cant see why ziggy cant get up here.

Richard Fahey has started entrusting this 7lb claiming apprentice with some better rides recently, and this could be another for which he is booked for the first time. The horse's 2nd in a novice race two starts ago would give him a serious chance here on the back of what the 1st and 3rd have done since. This is the horse's lowest handicap mark here, and the jockey's claim could prove to be the crucial factor.

Just the one selection for tomorrow. 2025 has been poor for him, but it helps that he's a course winner, and his last win was 7 lbs higher. So, he has a chance tomorrow, also helped by a drop down in class.