Fahey has quartet in hunt for Ripon glory

RICHARD FAHEY is four-handed as he bids to win successive renewals of the £70,000 William Hill Great St Wilfrid after breaking his duck in the Ripon feature 12 months ago with Baccarat.

“Supplicant is drawn 10 so at least he can go either way from that stall. He likes the track and is coming back to himself so I’d like to think he’ll run well. He’ll win one of these big handicaps, if not this season then next, and is no back number,” wrote the Malton trainer on his sportinglife blog.

“Any rain would help Flyman. I had to run him in the 32Red Cup at Goodwood as he was in danger of going stale at home having not had a race since May. He does go on fast ground but is much better with cut and is in good order at home.

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“We’re dropping Majestic Moon in trip after he showed an awful lot of speed to lead them for a long way in the International at Ascot. He’s a horse who’s definitely got quicker as he’s gets older and Tony Hamilton has opted to ride him.

“Tatlisu ran a blinder in the big consolation race at Goodwood the other day when everything just happened away from him in the finish. He was only beaten two short heads and must have a good chance again.”

This is the 21st renewal of the six furlong handicap at the North Yorkshire track and the sponsors report strong support for Kimberella. Trained at Thirsk by David Nicholls and ridden by his son Adrian, the team are looking to replicate the success of Tajneed in 2008.

Last year’s runner-up Spinatrix, the mount of rising star Connor Beasley and trained at Darlington by Michael Dods, has attracted support but William Hill spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke said: “The real stand-out is Kimberella who is easily the most popular horse.”

At longer odds, Fast Shot is 16-1 from 20-1 after drawing stall six. Tim Easterby, who trains at Great Habton, has booked Rachel Richardson to ride and she can claim a useful 7lbs off the back.