RIPON (10 May 2006)

Good

7:35 Nick Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap (class 3) (4yo+,0-90)

[off 7:43] £9,348.00, £2,799.00, £1,399.50, £700.50, £349.50, £175.50 6f

Comments In Running OR TS RPR

1 Dazzling Bay (12) T D Easterby 6 9-1 David Allan 20/1 86 — —

2 1 Prince Tum Tum (USA) (15) D W Barker 6 8-13 Fergal Lynch 12/1 84 — —

3 nk Paris Bell (13) T D Easterby 4 8-6 Paul Quinn 7/1 77 — —

4 4 Smokin Beau (14) N P Littmoden 9 8-11 James Doyle(5) 12/1 87 — —

5 shd Ellens Academy (IRE) (10) E J Alston 11 8-7 Kevin Darley 25/1 78 — —

6 ½ Pomfret Lad (9) J J Quinn 8 8-7 Graham Gibbons 11/2 78 — —

7 shd Inter Vision (USA) (5) A Dickman 6 8-12 Daniel Tudhope(3) 12/1 86 — —

8 4 Artie (11) T D Easterby 7 8-10 Robert Winston 16/1 81 — —

9 ¾ Gifted Gamble (1) K A Ryan 4 9-3 b D O´Donohoe 14/1 88 — —

10 nk Folga (4) J G Given 4 9-0 Ted Durcan 25/1 85 — —

11 2 Imperial Echo (USA) (2) T D Barron 5 8-4 Paul Fessey 7/1 75 — —

12 nk Betsen (IRE) (7) D Nicholls 4 8-7 Adrian T Nicholls 50/1 78 — —

13 1¼ Hiccups (8) D Nicholls 6 8-5 Paul Hanagan 12/1 76 — —

14 1¼ Steel Blue (6) R M Whitaker 6 8-9 Tony Culhane 5/1F 80 — —

14 ran TIME 1m 12.10s (equals standard time) TOTAL SP 114%

NON RUNNER: Crimson Silk

1st OWNER: Ghmw Racing BRED: T And M A Bibby TRAINER: T D Easterby

2nd OWNER: The Circle Bloodstock I Limited

3rd OWNER: Ryedale Partners No 8

TOTE WIN £24.80 PL £6.10, £3.30, £2.50; Ex £198.90; CSF £224.47; TRICAST £1215.11

ANALYSIS: The draw bias over six furlongs at Ripon can often be huge, and that was the case again here with the first six places being filled by six of the seven horses who raced against the far side.

However, that wasn't the only notable feature of the race, because it was also striking for the tremendously impressive victory of DAZZLING BAY, who ran like the horse of old to score in grand fashion.

The easy winner of the William Hill Trophy three years ago, he has been in the wilderness since, but reportedly has a major bias towards the fast ground he got here.

In addition, this was his first run since he was signed off injured in July, and he has clearly come back in great form, as he came from last in his group to first without being placed under anything like significant pressure.

He is well capable of winning off a higher mark than this, and a major sprint handicap could come his way this summer.

Prince Tum Tum looked all over the winner when leading over a furlong out, and he was unfortunate to come up against the revitalised Dazzling Bay. A strongly run six furlongs clearly plays to his strength, and he can win while in this sort of form.

Paris Bell made a valiant attempt to follow up his recent victory but, unlike his successful stablemate, the drying ground probably did not aid his cause.

Smokin Beau has not been the horse of old of late but he showed plenty of sparkle and pace this time, suggesting that his winning days might not be all behind him.

Ellens Academy and Pomfret Lad also ran well, although with the apparent draw bias here it might pay not to overplay their performances.

Artie, the other horse to race far side and another stablemate of the winner, looked in fine fettle beforehand and might be coming to hand.