View from the Grandstand at Ripon
There was to be no sentimental win in the race for Chunky Diamond, who is trained by David Chapman’s granddaughter Ruth Carr. Instead, the race was won in a photo finish by Ian Semple’s Cheviot (11/1) ahead of Adam’s Ale (10/1).
Cheviot dashing past the post
Drawn in stall 2 on the far side of the track, jockey Jason Hart brought Cheviot to the centre of the track, racing on his own for much of the race. He gradually worked his way over to the stands’ side and finished on the stands’ rail. The evidence of the evening was that the ground was faster on that side of the course, so it was a good but brave move by Hart to make the switch across the track.
Ventura Quest (2/5f) was the only favourite to win on the card, coming out a comfortable winner of the opening maiden stakes (6.00) for Richard Fahey. But the one to take from the race could be Mark Johnston’s An Chulainn (9/1). This was the filly’s first race and she was left in the stalls at the start and was well behind the field for the first half of the race. But she got her act together late on and was finishing well in fourth. There is certainly improvement to come from her.
Fuel Injection (3/1) lived up to his name in the nursery sprint (6.40). He was very jumpy in the parade ring beforehand but showed good speed on the track to win by an easy three and a half lengths from Anytimeatall (5/2jf), who went down to post almost as fast as she came back in the race itself.
Fuel Injection in the Winner's Enclosure
Esteaming (8/11f) was the almost unanimous selection in the Washroom Company Handicap Stakes and had every chance to win in the small field. But Franny Norton aboard Bushel (11/4) made every yard of the running and was not to be headed, winning by half a length.
Bushel heads out on to the course
