3 minute read

Michael Dods reports Spinatrix in tip-top shape as she bids to finally land the William Hill Great St Wilfrid after finishing second in the last two renewals, but admits a big draw may not be ideal.

Spinatrix and stablemate Mass Rally are towards the stands' side in stalls 18 and 15 respectively for the big sprint at Ripon on Saturday.

On good ground, that would be an advantage, but after Friday's rain, Dods feels the place to be is on the far side.

"She's very well and the ground's coming right for her. I think I would have preferred to have been drawn low," said the Darlington trainer.

"When the ground's soft, it favours the far side, but we know that's where we're at - we're drawn on the stands rail and we'll make the best of it.

"She's in good form and she loves the track.

"Mass Rally doesn't like the ground as soft nowadays - good to soft's fine for him - but he's drawn 15, so he's near Spinatrix.

"You have to ride a waiting race on him, but he's well, too, and I'm sure they will both run well.

"I'd just have preferred them to have been drawn on the far side."

Richard Fahey's three-pronged attack is led by Don't Touch, who defends a 100 per cent record, having notched a hat-trick at Newcastle, Haydock and Wolverhampton.

"He's quite a nice horse. We do like him a lot," the North Yorkshire handler told At The Races.

"He did well to win the other day at Wolverhampton.

"I was struggling to find a race for him, but he's had three runs now and it could open the floodgates for the St Wilfrid, Ayr Gold Cup and races like that.

"We've been delighted with this horse. He's getting better the whole time. He'd be the most progressive, so we'll see.

"It's a handicap we try to win every year. Like all sprint handicaps, it is tough to win, but we have been lucky enough to win it and have some good runs in it."

Tatlisu dead-heated for third place 12 months and attempts to go two places better, though he returns to Yorkshire's garden racecourse on the back of a below-par run in the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

Fahey said: "He was third last year off 92. He's off 97 now, so it's getting tougher for him.

"He was a little disappointing at Goodwood, but it was a strange race.

"It's horses for courses. He's run well at Ripon before, so you wouldn't draw a line through him."

The Musley Bank trainer's trio is completed by Lexi's Hero, who was also unplaced at Goodwood in the consolation race for the Stewards' Cup.

"Any rain would help him and he's a horse capable of running a big race," said Fahey.

Another Wise Kid was only beaten a length when sixth 12 months ago and his trainer Paul Midgley is optimistic of another good effort, though he was baffled by the seven-year-old's uncharacteristically poor run at Goodwood last time.

"I was disappointed down at Goodwood. For whatever reason I do not know, he was beat after a couple of furlongs," said Midgley.

"Other than that he's very consistent and he's very genuine.

"He wasn't beaten far in the race last year and I think he got held up in the race, if I remember rightly.

"He likes Ripon and the ground all comes the same. He seems in good form.

"We're drawn low so I imagine we'll be going over to the far side.

"Where we're drawn I was quite happy because there are a few fancied ones round there as well.

"I don't think the draw will be an inconvenience anyway."

Jim Goldie reports stable stalwart Hawkeyethenoo in fine shape after his typically consistent effort in the Shergar Cup Dash at Ascot when he stayed on well to take fourth place behind Secretinthepark.

This extra furlong should aid the nine-year-old's cause, as should his stands' side draw in stall 17.

"He's in good form, but I don't want see too much rain," said Goldie.

"A bit would be OK, but I wouldn't want the ground to go too soft. We'll just have to wait and see on that.

"He ran a good race last week. He's got a good draw on Saturday.

"He's on the stands' side so hopefully he can grab the rail and we can take it from there."

Mick Appleby was happy to see the rain arrive to aid the prospects of top-weight Poyle Vinnie.

"He's got a good draw and the ground should suit him now. I think he's got a good chance and he should run a good race," said the Newark handler.

Trainer David O'Meara saddles Eccleston as he attempts to win this prestigious handicap for the fourth time in five seasons.

Eccleston is owned by David and Emma Armstrong, who also bred the son of Acclamation.

The four-year-old has crept in the maximum 20-runner field as one of the two joint bottom weights.

"He's got bottom weight, he's a home bred, so we're definitely hoping he's going to do all right," said Emma Armstrong.

"He should get his ground. David (O'Meara) has had great success in this race and we'd like to think this horse will do well."