Champion Two Years Old Trophy takes centre stage at Ripon
Ripon’s Champion Two Years Old Trophy is the highlight of a Bank Holiday Monday card that also features competitive handicaps and a Grade of juvenile interest. The meeting brings together a number of promising juveniles and proven performers, with live coverage extending to action from Chepstow and Southwell.
3.05 Ripon – Champion Two Years Old Trophy
The juvenile contest has attracted a compact but interesting field.Clash Of Heartsarrives on the back of a maiden success at Pontefract and a subsequent nursery run at Goodwood, and most recently finished fifth in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York. Connections will point to that Pontefract victory as evidence of progression.
Rogue Jewelis unbeaten in two starts for The Rogues Gallery team and brings course-and-distance form, having secured a recent success at Ripon. That profile marks him out as one to keep onside for this track.
Pure Mintrepresents the Simon & Ed Crisford stable after a decisive win at Ripon last month. The Crisfords have a notable recent record in this race, having been responsible for three of the last six renewals, and Pure Mint will carry the weight of that form-line expectation.
3.40 Ripon – Ripon Rowels Handicap
The Rowels Handicap presents a clash between a recent Royal Ascot winner and a handful of in-form handicappers.English Oakis the top-rated contender and, despite a below-par effort in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last month, brings a Royal Ascot triumph to the table and resumes off a rating that makes him a prominent figure in the weights.
Thunder Roarreturns to a mark from which he previously won, having fallen from a higher rating since his success at Ayr last September. That drop in the handicap has given him a more attractive position on paper.
Mr Professor, the Lincoln winner earlier in the season, makes his third start for trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy after a recent second at Kempton. The gelding’s seasonal form provides a solid baseline in a competitive heat.
Chepstow Mile Series Final under the spotlight
4.35 Chepstow – Chepstow Mile Series Final Handicap
The finale at Chepstow is the valuable Chepstow Mile Series Final Handicap, where the winner collects a purse in excess of £20,000.Revelanceheads into the race as top weight, following a comfortable success in a Chepstow Mile Series qualifier earlier in August under Eddy Greatrex.
In that qualifier,Nakaahafinished second and will now meet Revelance with a 7lb swing in the weights. That reversal of concessions is a notable factor when assessing the formline between those two.
Spirit Of The Baywon at Chepstow in July and posted a credible third in the series qualifier, whileRating,Too Much TrevorandRedhot Whisperall arrive having recently won at the track and must be respected on that basis.
Context for festivalgoers and follow-up
The Ripon and Chepstow cards provide an engaging mix for racegoers on the Bank Holiday: juveniles with potential in the Two Years Old Trophy, a class-laden sprint in the Rowels Handicap, and a valuable local final at Chepstow. Trainers with strong local and festival form are well represented, and several runners carry recent course victories into these contests.
Coverage extends to live broadcasting on Sky Sports Racing, ensuring those following the seasons’ pattern of meetings can keep abreast of developments ahead of major festival targets.
Stay tuned for the official declarations and any late changes on race day.
