BABY STRANGE, trained by Derek Shaw at Danethorpe in Nottinghamshire, looks well drawn and will appreciate the softish ground in today's William Hill Great St Wilfrid Heritage Handicap at Ripon.
The draw plays an important part in the Garden Course's big sprint with either a high stall position or a low berth always the best place to be.
This year, however, it is more than likely that the inside of the course will be the place to be on th
e likely soft ground and many of the better fancied runners will be on that side including the selection, well berthed in 17.
Top weight Fullandby, runner-up in 2006, has the best position of all in 20 and will go well with Lee Vickers taking off a valuable 3lbs while the speedy Hogmaneigh and the back-to-form Valery Borzov, a topical tip perhaps as he is named after a former Olympic sprint champion, will also plough their way down that side of the track.
Baby Strange has been touched off in two tough handicaps in recent weeks – the first by Knot In Wood at Hamiliton and then by Pearly Wey in the Steward's Cup consolation race at Goodwood. The re-opposing Knot In Wood has an unfortunate draw in stall 1 though it is still possible that the ground may dry out in which case he would have an obvious chance.
Baby Strange was a classy individual as a two-year-old who missed the whole of last season. His trainer has brought him right back to his best and though by no means leniently handicapped he looks capable of better and gets the vote in a very competitive event.
Pontefract will be heaving tomorrow as the popular West Riding track features the E.B.F. Highfield Farm Flying Fillies' Stakes. The Listed contest has attracted a cracking field and Norman Gundhill and his hard-working team will be delighted with the response.
Frankie Dettori will be on hand to ride Godolphin's Floristy, who will be better for a recent run at Doncaster after a long break. The winner of her last three juvenile starts for Sir Michael Stoute, she is sure to be fancied but hopefully the prize can stay in the county via Lesson In Humility.
Karl Burke's filly has been progressing with every run and there was much to admire about her recent defeat of Tombi from a mark of 96 in a very tough handicap at York.
Vodafone Derby hero New Approach came through his latest workout with flying colours – with a final decision on his participation in the Juddmonte International likely to be made today.
The son of Galileo has not run since his Epsom triumph after soreness related to a muscle injury ruled him out of a double bid in the Irish Derby.
He is reportedly back on song, however, with trainer Jim Bolger set to talk to his owners before deciding whether he runs at York next Tuesday.
"He has worked yesterday and it went very well and he seems in great form," said the County Carlow handler.
"There is no decision on whether he will run at York yet.
"I will be speaking to John Ferguson (bloodstock adviser to Sheikh Mohammed) and we will make a decision."
TODAY'S BESTDUKE'S DOUBLEDonegal (2.40 Newbury), nap and Little Lu (4.15 Bangor).
DUKE'S TREBLEDonegal, Little Lu and Blakfrankisch (1.35 Newbury).
JULIUS'S DOUBLESecret Night (2.55 Newmarket), nap and King's Bastion (3.50 Newbury).
FORMNAPMister Benedictine (4.15 Bangor).
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