We have a runner on the flat at Ripon, where the going is currently described as good to soft, and we send three to Sedgefield for their final meeting of the season, on what is currently considered good ground.
At Ripon, Bonne Vitesse who won this corresponding race last year, will attempt to defend her crown at 6.40.pm, in the the 0-60 handicap, over two miles, with her regular rider Aiden Brookes in the saddle. Bonne Vitesse is an out and out stayer on the flat, and this return to two miles, from a 3lb higher mark, than when she won this race easily last season, is very much in her favour, but she wouldn't want the ground drying out too much.
Over at Sedgefield, the very lightly raced Great Ballinboris is first up at 5.48.pm, in the 0-100 handicap chase, over two miles and one furlong, where he will be partnered by Conor O'Farrell for the first time. Great Ballinboris who is now eight years old has only raced on six occasions to date, with the pick of his form being on his debut in a bumper back in January 2022. This will be his third start over fences from a mark of just 86.
Penpal proved that he goes well fresh, when winning first time out after a year off the track last May. He now returns from a 117 day break, after pulling up at Kelso in January, and remains 6lb above that last winning mark. Penpal who is versatile ground wise, runs at 7.30.pm, in division 1 of the 0-100 handicap hurdle, over the extended two miles, with our stable conditional jockey Josh Thompson able to claim the full 10lb.
Milajess will go to post for division 2 of the 0-100 handicap hurdle at 8.05.pm, where she will once again be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston. Milajess has one piece of stand out form, when finishing second this time last year, when trained in Ireland. She has now raced on six occasions for us, with her best effort coming when third at Musselburgh three starts ago. Her mark is now down to an attractive looking rating of 84, which is 16lb lower than her opening BHA mark.
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Good luck to the connections, The Golden Cuckoo, John Burnett, and The Monday Club.
Milajess.
